Microfinance and Women Empowerment (A Case Study of Virkot Municipality Ward No-8 Syangja)

Abstract

Empowerment of women is one of the very important issues in developing countries. As women are the integral part of the society, her status and participation in decision making as well as economic activities is very low. Microfinance plays important role in improving in women decision making by contributing in economic activities. Microfinance is powerful tools to self-empower the poor especially women at world level. The main aim of microfinance is empowerment of women.

Women empowerment are measured by Economic Security, Household and economic decision making, legal Awareness mobility and family decision making. This study is based on primary data through administered questionnaire to the women those who are involved in microfinance program in Virkot municipality word no 8 Syangja. Descriptive and analytical research design has been used to collect the opinions and know about the behavior of respondents. Data are analyzed by using percentage, mean and paired t test.

This Study investigate the social-economic improvement and decision making power of women after involvement in microfinance programs. The result show a positive changes on economic security, household economic decision making, legal awareness, mobility, and family decision making after participating in microfinance program.