Discuss the unique challenges and opportunities Self Help Groups (SHGs) encounter in urban areas compared to rural ones, and how can microfinance be adapted to tackle urban challenges.

Self Help Groups helps to a Small CSHG: GSAP which voluntarily come together to pool their small savings and start some micro enterprise and act as micro-finance for their members. SHGs in urban areas: Lack of familiarity of members: SHGs in rural areas enjoy high familiarity and social bonds between members. But urban areas have anonymity in lifestyle, hence weak social bonds in members. Unique Challenges: (1) Lack of familiarity of members: SHGs in rural areas enjoy high familiarity and social bonds between members. But urban areas have anonymity in lifestyle, hence weak social bonds in members. (2) Housing challenges: Urban areas have outgrowth of slums. Hence SHGs members often live in unhygienic conditions.

SHGs in urban areas continued: (3) Security challenges: regarding women in certain areas face higher challenges of sexual harassment at workplace than rural areas (4) High cost of living in urban areas reduces the limited earnings. Unique opportunities in urban areas: (1) Quick access to finance as banks are often nearby (2) More job opportunities compared to rural areas (3) Increased avenues of skilling and up-skilling to start micro enterprise via Lifted Pesach started by 7 women in Gujarat today employs 5000 women with turnovers of 1600 cr (4) Increased market avenues to sell products.