INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCE RESEARCH
IN MULTIDISCIPLINARY

This article examines women’s empowerment initiatives under India’s National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) through a social work lens, focusing on how these programs promote agency, autonomy, and social transformation. Grounded in empowerment theory and participatory development, the study uses a mixed-methods approach to analyse both the economic and psychosocial outcomes of women participating in self-help groups (SHGs) across selected rural blocks. Results indicate that while NRLM interventions significantly enhance women’s financial independence and self-esteem, social work facilitation plays a critical role in deepening and sustaining these gains. The paper concludes with policy implications and recommendations for integrating social work strategies into development programming.