Does microfinance singlehandedly empower women? A case study of Bangladesh
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1-2023
Abstract
The role played by microfinancing in the empowerment of women has been a subject of debate in recent literature. By employing the case study method, this paper explores the influencing determinants. Data was obtained from a field interview comprised of 20 female microfinance borrowers and their male family members, as well as focus group discussions and participant observation. The economic, social, and political empowerment of the interviewed women were assessed using Kabeer's empowerment framework, and the results reveal that microfinancing does not influence the economic and political dimensions of female empowerment; instead, microfinancing was observed to empower women socially, particularly with respect to their participation in major decision-making. The results further indicate that the age, family type, educational level, financial literacy, and training of female microfinance clients play important roles in their empowerment.
Keywords
case study, microfinance, women, empowerment, Bangladesh
Divisions
advanced,Faculty_of_Business_and_Accountancy
Publication Title
SAGE Open
Volume
13
Issue
2
Publisher
SAGE Publications (UK and US)
Publisher Location
2455 TELLER RD, THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91320 USA