The contribution of self-help group approach to improve the livelihood outcomes of poor women in Debre Markos Town, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Self-Help Group is one of the most important approaches that play a
significant role in improving the livelihood of women across the world.
Despite the fact that multitude of research prove the positive role of the approach in improving the livelihoods of women across the world, its contribution in Ethiopia is still not well understood. In addition, it is not yet included in the policy agenda of the government. This might be because of lack of concrete evidence about the issues. Therefore, this study was designed to examine the impact of Self-Help Group approach on the livelihood improvement of poor women in Ethiopia through the application of comparative analysis based on 100 women members and 196 non-members. Propensity Score Matching (PSM), a non-experimental research design approach with mixed data analysis techniques, was used to examine the effect of the approach on the livelihood of the beneficiaries. It was found that beneficiaries had a higher score in income, consumption, saving, food insecurity and access prevalence reduction, and, assets. It can be concluded that the approach had a significant impact on women’s livelihood improvement in Debre Markos town, Ethiopia. Based on the result, it is recommended that greater emphasis should be given for Self-Help Group approach on the livelihood improvement of marginalized community in general and poor women in particular.