A new Campbell study is the first systematic review of the effectiveness of self-help groups (SHGs). The study finds that economic self-help groups have positive effects on women’s empowerment, and that women benefit from SHGs economically, socially, and politically.
Women bear an unequal share of the burden of poverty globally. Self-help groups 
(SHGs) are an increasingly common approach to help women overcome social
and structural inequalities, and the barriers to empowerment.
Many quantitative and qualitative studies have claimed that SHGs are effective,
but this is the first systematic review of the available evidence in low- and middle-income countries.
Positive effects
The review finds that women benefited from the SHGs economically, socially, and politically but not psychologically. Qualitative evidence suggests that these positive effects come from familiarity with handling money and independence in financial decision making, solidarity, improved social networks, and respect from the household and other community members.
There are important variations in the impacts of SHGs on empowerment that are associated with program design and contextual characteristics
The poorest of the poor
The Campbell findings indicate that women’s SHGs have the potential to promote the economic, social, and political empowerment of women. However, those taking part in the SHGs perceived the participation of the poorest of the poor in SHGs to be low. Programmes should build in support and reduce barriers for individual women who want to participate in SHGs but who do not have the financial resources or freedoms to join.