Empowering Rural Tribal Women: The Role of Vocational Training and SHG In Enhancing Employment Opportunities Under the TADHCO Scheme in Dharampuri District

Abstract

The empowerment of rural tribal women is central to inclusive development, particularly in regions where socio-economic marginalization persists. In Tamil Nadu, the Tribal Development Cooperative Corporation (TADHCO) scheme has emerged as a key initiative to promote livelihood security and skill enhancement for tribal communities. The study focuses on the impact of vocational training and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the TADHCO scheme in Dharmapuri district, an area with a high tribal population facing issues of poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion. Vocational training gives women practical knowledge in the field of tailoring, handicraft, food processing, and other livelihood-generating activities, and SHGs give access to financial inclusion, credit, and collective bargaining power. Collectively, they open doors for the tribal women to become self-reliant earn more in their families and take part in the development of the local economy. The article critically reviews on the usefulness of these initiatives and points out the issues that may hinder the progresses such as lack of market access and infrastructural deficiency as well as good experiences or best practices on how empowerment may be done sustainably. The results emphasize the need to consider the adoption of both skills and entrepreneurship support to create long-term socio-economic change. In summary, while the scheme benefits women across different age groups, age does not play a decisive role in determining the level of impact of the TADHCO scheme. Other factors such as education, SHG participation, or type of vocational training may be more influential in shaping outcomes.