Published Paper Details:

Transgender individuals in India face systemic social, economic, and political exclusion. Despite legal recognition of the "third gender," significant barriers persist in accessing employment, healthcare, education, and social inclusion. In recent years, Self Help Groups (SHGs) have emerged as powerful platforms to support marginalized communities by promoting financial inclusion, capacity-building, and peer support. This study focuses on the transgender community in Salem City, Tamil Nadu, and investigates how SHGs contribute to their empowerment. Data were collected from 60 transgender SHG members through structured questionnaires. Analytical tools such as percentage analysis, Chi-square test, and t-test were applied. The findings show significant improvements in the participants' income, self-confidence, and social inclusion after joining SHGs. The study concludes that SHGs are an effective model for promoting inclusive development and gender equality.