Discuss the role of digital platforms in empowering SHGs and enhancing their market linkage and credit access. (Answer in 150 words)

SHGs refer to self-help groups which work on maximum leverage of self-effort, credit access to promote social justice and gender equality. Digital platform in empowering SHGs: (1) Promote women participation - from different regions, engaging them in micro-enterprise (2) Spread awareness of the social issues eg humanitarian, break the chain campaign during covid 19 (3) Social audit - easy and quick by efficient data management leading

to better accountability Enhancing Market and credit access (1) SHG corporate nexus eg coordinating with businesses for marketing eg selling of farm in Mumbai to Tata Hotels (2) NABARD Bank Linkage program - promoting loans at low interest rate on other performance (3) Use of priority lending - by use of banks and PPI platforms. However, challenges - digital divide (Rural-Varanasi) cybercrimes, concentrated in south. Patriarchal mindset. Thus, need is for better literacy eg PRAGISHA, better effective data management and enhanced security eg NCIPL IHL.