Jebessa., Firehiwot (PhD)Jemal, Abda2019-03-042023-11-042019-03-042023-11-042016-05http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/16485Women empowerment is a process in which women challenge the existing situation to effectively promote their well-being. The participation of women in Self Help Groups (SHG s) made a significant impact on their empowerment both in social and economic aspects. The concept of SHG (Self Help Group) started recently in Ethiopia since 2002 and the numbers of SHGs dramatically increased. However, the concepts of SHGs cannot get enough recognition and comprehensive research on the opportunities and challenge in Ethiopi a. Thus, the major objective of this study is to explore the opportunities and challenges that exists and emerge during economic, social, and political or leadership empowerments of women in SHGs. Qualitative research design with in-depth interview, observation, focus group discus sion and document review data collection methods employed. A total of32 participants were selected using purposive sampling method participated in the study. The findings of the study revealed three major opportunities of SHGs which include fir stly economic opportunities that improve the life of women in SHGs through saving culture, access to loan and income generating activities. Secondly, through social opportunity they revitalized the tradition \al social in surance in SHGs by supporting each other and the community through SHGs without needs of external funds and supports . Finally aftcr they joined in SHG poor women gets opportunities like leaders hip skill s, ability to make sound decisions and to be self-reliant and as sertive in their life. On the other hand, the study ex plored the major challenges of SHGs which hindered women from achieving more. Thus, lack of office for CLAs and place of meeting for SHGs, ab sence of legal frame for the registration of SHGs, fear of paying interest, dropout and lack of commitment of SHGs memb ers, poor supervision and absence of inadequate training, lack of market place and shop, negative attitude of the community to SHGs are the major chall enges. Accordingly, cooperative society, small and micro enterprises and Ethiopian society are examined as an alternative option for the betterment of the SHGs based on the identified challenges over the legality for the SHGs registration . Thus, promoting the SHG approach through celebrating national SHG days, media coverage and sharing experiences are the other option to make SHG approach influential and powerful in order to get recognition from the govemment at national level. The study concluded that through participation in SHGs, it is possible to bring su stainable development and change in life of women, on economic, socia l and political aspects of the beneficiaries.enWomen empowerment is a processThesis