Women Empowerment Through Microfinance (A Case Study of Kirtipur Municipality, Kathmandu District Nepal)

Abstract

The study covers the impact of microfinance programmes on economic empowerment and social empowerment of participants located in Kirtipur Municipality. 150 women members were selected for the study using judgmental sampling method. Descriptive and explanatory research design has been adopted to fulfill the objectives of the study. The present study concludes that the MFIs are focusing more on saving and lending practices as well as effective training services. Microfinance members perceived social and economic empowerment through microfinance programme. However, they pointed out the impact of microfinance programme on information empowerment to some extent. Further, microfinance services and women empowerment has significant relationship. This study is made on the basis of women in Nepal where poverty and women empowerment are the main problem. In other to support to alleviation of poverty and encouraging women to gain status in life, Microfinance institutions are playing as one of the main tools. There is a general consensus that microfinance is not equal to all poor women but has positive consequence in the life of Nepalese women. The study investigates the role of Microfinance towards empowerment of women. The study is based on the self-made questionnaires to the women who is taking microfinance services. It is also based on various previous research. The primary data is collected from household survey using structured questionnaire and interview method. The research findings proved that there is an improvement not only in economic terms but also in social terms. The results show a positive impact in income and saving. Although MFIs are mushrooming in Nepal, the poor villagers are remained under high interest rate with less accessible of money lending comparing to the women in city.