univerge site banner
Original Article | Open Access | Int. J. Manag. Account. 2024; 6(3), 55-70 | doi: 10.34104/ijma.024.055070

Unveiling the Impact of Microfinance on Womens Empowerment: Insights from Cumilla District, Bangladesh

Champa Bosu* Mail Img

Abstract

This study delves into the impact of microfinance institutions (MFIs) on womens empowerment in Bangladesh, focusing on Cumilla District. Employing a mixed-method approach, the research investigates the multifaceted dimensions of womens empowerment facilitated by MFIs, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The literature review examines the economic, socio-cultural, and political implications of microfinance on womens empowerment. A conceptual framework elucidates the interplay between microfinance and womens empowerment within the context of Bangladeshs economic landscape and microfinance sector. Through surveys and interviews with loan officers and women beneficiaries, key findings emerge regarding decision-making dynamics, savings and investments, political participation, and household income improvement. The analysis highlights the transformative role of MFIs in enhancing womens agency and economic status. Challenges and opportunities in fostering womens empowerment through microfinance interventions are discussed, underscoring the need for tailored strategies to maximize impact. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the nuanced relationship between microfinance and womens empowerment, offering implications for policy and practice in development initiatives aimed at empowering women in Bangladesh and beyond.

Article References:

  1. Ahlin, C., Lin, J., & Maio, M. (2011). Where does microfinance flourish? Microfinance institution performance in macroeconomic context. J. of Development Economics, 95(2), 105-120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2010.04.004 
  2. Ahmed, S. (2009). Microfinance institutions in Bangladesh: achievements and challenges. Managerial Finance, 35(12), 999-1010. https://doi.org/10.1108/03074350911000052 
  3. Ali, I., & Hatta, Z. A. (2012). Womens Empowerment or Disempowerment through Microfinance: Evidence from Bangladesh. Asian Social Work and Policy Review, 6(2), 111-121. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-1411.2012.00066.x 
  4. Ali, K. M. B. (2021). Impact Of Microcredit on Womens Empowerment in Bangladesh: A Case Study on Rangamati Pourashaba, Bangladesh. Social Change, 10(1), 100-123. 
  5. Asim, S. (2008). Evaluating The Impact Of Microcredit On Womens Empowerment In Pakistan. Lahor.
  6. Bali Swain, R., & Floro, M. (2012). Assessing the Effect of Microfinance on Vulnerability and Poverty among Low Income Households. J. of Development Studies, 48(5), 605-618. 
  7. Bali Swain, R., & Varghese, A. (2009). Does Self Help Group Participation Lead to Asset Creation? World Development, 37(10), 1674-1682. 
  8. Bali Swain, R., & Wallentin, F. Y. (2009). Does microfinance empower women? Evidence from self-help groups in India. Inter Review of Applied Economics, 23(5), 541-556. 
  9. Bali Swain, R., & Wallentin, F. Y. (2012). Factors empowering women in Indian self-help group programs. Inter Review of Applied Economics, 26(4), 425-444. 
  10. Bali Swain, R., & Wallentin, F. Y. (2017). The Impact of Microfinance on Factors Empowering Women: Differences in Regional and Delivery Mechanisms in Indias SHG Program. J. of Development Studies, 53(5), 684-699. 
  11. Basu S, Roy A, and Karmokar S. (2020). Effectiveness of microfinance on household income generation strategy in the southwest region of Bangladesh, Asian J. Soc. Sci. Leg. Stud., 2(3), 56-62. https://doi.org/10.34104/ajssls.020.056062 
  12. BBS. (2018). Methodological Report on Generating New Gender Statistics Indicators in Bangladesh. Dhaka. 
  13. Beisland, L. A., Djan, K. O., & Randøy, T. (2021). Measuring Social Performance in Social Enterprises: A Global Study of Micro-finance Institutions. J. of Business Ethics, 171(1), 51-71. 
  14. Berglund, K.-E. (2007). The effect of micro-finance on the empowerment of women and its societal consequences. Minor Field Studies on self-help-group members in Andhra Pradesh, Uppsala University. Uppsala.
  15. Bernard, H. Russel. (2006). Research Methods in Anthropology: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches (4th ed.). Oxford: AltaMira Press. 
  16. Bernard, Harvey Russell. (2011). Research Methods in Anthropology Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches (Seventh). London: AltaMira Press.
  17. Choudhury, G. U. A. (2012). Impact of Micro-credit Program on Womens Empowerment in Rural Bangladesh. Karlstad University.
  18. Davis, P. R., & McGregor, J. A. (2000). Civil society, international donors and poverty in Bangladesh. J. of Commonwealth and Comparative Politics, 38(1), 47-64. 
  19. Faraizi, A. H., McAllister, J., & Rahman, T. (2014). Microcredit and womens empowerment : a case study of Bangladesh. 
  20. Faridi, M. Z., Nawaz, S., & Bibi, S. (2022). Islamic Microfinance and Women Entrepreneurial Success: Mediating Role of Human Capital. J. of Accounting and Finance in Emerging Economies, 8(1), 1-12. 
  21. Hamid, A. L. I., & Nisser, I. (2017). Micro-finance and Womens Empowerment in Egypt. Inter J. of Business & Economic Affairs, 2(1). 
  22. Hernandez, S. M. (2019). The Impact of Microfinance on Womens Empowerment: Evidence from Rural Areas of Uganda. Trinity College of Duke University.
  23. Huis, M. A., Hansen, N., & Lensink, R. (2017). A three-dimensional model of womens empowerment: Implications in the field of microfinance and future directions. Frontiers in Psychology, 8(SEP), 1-14. 
  24. Kochanek, S. A. (2000). Governance, patronage politics, and democratic transition in Bangladesh. Asian Survey, 40(3), 530-550. 
  25. Mengstie, B., & Singh, A. (2020). Ethiopian Women Economic Empowerment Through Microfinance. Indian J. of Finance and Banking, 4(2), 51-57. 
  26. Naher, A. (2010). ‘Defending Islam and womens honour against NGOs in Bangla-desh. Womens Studies International Forum, 33(4), 316-324. 
  27. Neuman, W. L. (2014). Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative App-roaches (7th ed.). Harlow: Pearson. 
  28. Pitt, M. M., Khandker, S. R., & Cartwright, J. (2006). Empowering women with micro finance: Evidence from Bangladesh. Economic Development and Cultural Change, 54(4), 791-831.
  29. Rahman, M. M., Khanam, R., & Nghiem, S. (2017). The effects of microfinance on womens empowerment: New evidence from Bangladesh. Inter J. of Social Economics, 44(12), 1745-1757. 
  30. Saha, N., & Huang, W. X. (2007). The challenges of microfinance: In India and Bangladesh. E a M: Ekonomie a Management, 10(2), 102-117.
  31. Sarma, M., & Pais, J. (2008). Financial Inclusion and Development: A Cross Country Analysis. In Annual Conference of the Human Development and Capability Association, New Delhi, 168(10-13), 1-30. 
  32. Shkodra, J., Ymeri, P., & Ibishi, L. (2021). Role of microfinance institutions for developing women entrepreneurship - The case study of Kosovo. Economics and Sociology, 14(1), 120-129. 
  33. Sihag, R. (2018). Entrepreneurship and empowerment of women: In context of micro-financing. Inter J. of Education and Management Studies, 8(4), 403-405. 
  34. Tariq, S., & Sangmi, M.-U.-D. (2020). Micro-finance and Womens Economic Empowerment: An Experimental Evidence. Abhigyan, 38(3). 10+. 
  35. Vik, P. (2017). Whats So Social About Social Return on Investment? A Critique of Quantitative Social Accounting Approaches Drawing on Experiences of International Microfinance. Social and Environmental Accountability J., 37(1), 6-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/0969160X.2016.1263967 

Article Info:

Academic Editor

Dr. Doaa Wafik Nada, Associate Professor, School of Business and Economics, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Cairo, Egypt.

Received

May 7, 2024

Accepted

June 15, 2024

Published

June 27, 2024

Article DOI: 10.34104/ijma.024.055070

Coresponding author

Champa Bosu*

Lecturer, Department of Management, Laxmipur Government Mohila College, Laxmipur, Bangladesh.

Cite this article

Bosu C. (2024). Unveiling the impact of microfinance on womens empowerment: insights from Cumilla district, Bangladesh, Int. J. Manag. Account6(3), 55-70. https://doi.org/10.34104/ijma.024.055070

Views
113
Download
99
Citations
Badge Img
Share