Socio-economic empowerment of women through microfinance (A case study of Baijnath rural municipality, Banke)

Abstract

The purpose of the thesis is to highlight the Socio-Economic Empowerment of Women through Microfinance. The study is a descriptive study design. Many developmental activities and programs are implemented in the society but microfinance programs are strong rural based and deprived women oriented and targeted to the marginalized people. Microfinance is an effective and powerful instrument for women empowerment. Women who could gain access to microfinance services have been able to create self-employment opportunities and have been economically and socially empowered through increased income through small projects. This thesis examined how far micro financing services positively affect the empowerment of Nepali women living in the Baijanath Rural Municipality Banke. Microfinance has a profound impact on the economic status, decision making power, knowledge and self-worthiness of women, community activities and self-help group programs. In social empowerment variables included decision making role in family, social and political participation, societies perception towards them, social awareness, awareness in health and sanitation and improvement in livelihood. This study is based on primary data through structured questionnaire to the women in Baijanath Rural Municipality. Data are analyzed by using percentage analysis as well as describe by tables and figures. Descriptive research design has used to collect the opinions and to know about behaviour of respondents by simple random sampling technique. This study investigates the social participation improvement and decision making power of women after involvement in MFPs. The results show a positive impact on all variables. 58.18 percent women have their own land ownership, 53.64 percent involved in retail business, 45.45 percent had earn up to Rs 10,000 per month. Simillarly, 23.64 percent women are access to internet facility, 48.64 percent have their own television. The effect of MFP training is very helpful which is 62.73 percent. 49.10 percent women are greatly improved their family relationship after joining MFP. The number of womens decision making on schooling of children is 53.64 percent, medical treatment is 74.45 percent. The study concludes that microfinance institutions plays a positive role on women by increasing them social well-being, access and control over their resources, consumption and investment, self- confidence, decision making ability in family as well as in society.