Assessing the Role of Public Administration in Women Empowerment through Self-Help Groups: A Case Study of the Bihar Jeevika Program

Abstract

The public administration system plays a critical role in facilitating inclusive development and gender empowerment, especially in rural India. In Bihar, the Jeevika program—implemented under the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (BRLPS)—has emerged as a significant initiative aimed at enhancing socio-economic empowerment among women through Self-Help Groups (SHGs). This study examines the role of public administration in supporting and sustaining women’s empowerment via Jeevika in selected districts of Bihar.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate how administrative interventions, such as training, financial linkages, awareness drives, and grievance redressal mechanisms, have impacted the empowerment levels of SHG members. A mixed-methods design was adopted. Primary data will be collected through structured questionnaires administered to 150 SHG members across three districts. Demographic analysis and Pearson correlation will be used to assess the relationship between public support and indicators of empowerment such as income contribution, decision-making, social mobility, and confidence.
Preliminary expectations suggest a positive correlation between administrative facilitation and women’s empowerment. The study also identifies key demographic variables influencing the effectiveness of Jeevika, such as education, age, and income level.
In conclusion, this study provides empirical evidence on the role of local governance and administrative machinery in enhancing grassroots-level empowerment of women. It offers recommendations for policy and practice to strengthen gender-focused public administration in Bihar.