Pages: 10-27

Abstract

The subject of this research is the attitude of households’ female heads in rural areas covered by the welfare organization towards the formation of self-help groups. The importance of this research is that it directly and indirectly addresses the economic and social empowerment of female heads of households in rural areas. Research goals also refer to two issues: First, the attitudes of female heads of household to this subject, and secondly, the factors influencing their attitude in the formation of the self-help groups. This is a descriptive - analytical study and was carried out by the use of a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. The instruments for collecting were questionnaire, observation and interview. From between 60 cases in the Delvar County Welfare Organization, which are related to female heads of household, all cases were selected; they were questioned by the census method. Given that these women still did not form self-help groups, before the start of the research, the benefits of forming them were explained to them, and then they were included in the research process. Findings of the research indicate that the attitude of female heads of households in rural areas is positive for the formation of self-help groups, and this positive attitude can help to empower them socially and economically.