Abstract
Women and men both play an important role in the development of society, but with the evolution of time, the condition of women in society has declined. To attain equality in society, the concept of gender equality has evolved. Gender equality is not just a fundamental right but also an essential foundation for creating a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. To attain a brighter and more sustainable development for all, the United Nations, along with its members, adopted 17 SDGs. Among the 17 SDGs, Gender Equality (SDG-05) ties in and is closely linked with microfinance that deals with women’s empowerment. This paper tries to analyse how microfinance initiatives, particularly through their self-help groups, especially like “JEEVIKA” in Bihar, contributed towards women’s economic empowerment and led towards Sustainable Development Goal 05, i.e., gender equality. This paper uses a qualitative research design method that has been employed for the study, primarily based on the analysis of secondary data to evaluate the role of microfinance through “JEEVIKA” in promoting gender equality, leading to sustainable development goal-05 in Bihar. The implementation of such microfinance programs in states like Bihar, through programs like JEEVIKA, has transformed the societal and economic status of women at large, leading to their economic empowerment and fostering gender equality.
Keywords: Economic Empowerment, Gender Equality, Jeevika, Microfinance, Sustainable Development Goals, Women Empowerment.