Novelist Na. D’ Souza has expressed regret over the alleged misuse of women self-help groups (SHGs) by political parties.
Inaugurating a programme organised to mark the first anniversary of Stree Bandhu Multipurpose Cooperative Society here on Friday, he said SHGs should facilitate easy access to credit facilities for women. It was unfortunate that a few politicians were treating SHGs as vote banks.
The members of SHGs were also being used by some of the political parties for electioneering, he said and called upon the self-help groups not to fall prey to the ploys of politicians but work to realise their core objectives.
Women should not use the credit facilities provided to them from SHGs for non-productive purposes. The women self-help groups should become platforms to create awareness among women on social evils like superstition and health-related issues, he said.
The programme was organised by the Shivamogga Multipurpose Social Service Society. K.B. Prasanna Kumar, Shivamogga MLA, and Rev. Fr. Francis Serrao, Bishop of Shivamogga Diocese, were present.
