Women’s empowerment has emerged as a central objective of development policy in developing economies, particularly in rural regions characterized by poverty, gender inequality, and limited financial access. Microfinance initiatives, especially those implemented through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), have been recognized as an effective instrument for enhancing women’s socio-economic status. In India, the JEEViKA project—Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society—has played a transformative role in organizing rural women into SHGs and facilitating financial inclusion, livelihood generation, and social empowerment.

The present study empirically examines the role of microfinance provided through JEEViKA SHGs in empowering women in rural Bihar. Using primary data collected from women members across selected districts of Bihar, the study evaluates empowerment across four dimensions: economic, social, psychological, and decision-making empowerment. A structured questionnaire was administered to SHG members, and statistical tools such as descriptive analysis, correlation, and regression were applied.

The findings indicate that access to microfinance through JEEViKA significantly enhances women’s income-generating capacity, financial autonomy, self-confidence, and participation in household and community-level decision-making. The study contributes to the literature by providing region-specific evidence on the effectiveness of state-supported SHG-based microfinance programs. Policy implications highlight the need for strengthening credit access, skill development, and institutional support to sustain women empowerment outcomes.