Socio-Economic Impact of Micro-Credit in Dalit Women: A Case Study of Tindowate Vdc, Syangja

Abstract

This thesis named “Socio-economic Impact of Dalit Women: A case Study of Tindowate VDC, Syangja” replicates the situation of Dalit women who are the most socio-economically backward among all the women in Nepal. The situation of Nepali Dalit women is miserable. The traditional occupations are not sufficient to fulfill their livelihood. Their ways of earning activities differ by the development activities and they are compelled to change their socio-economic activities. The Dalit women are involved in agricultural labours, daily wage workers, perform traditional occupations and engage in household production. Despite doing all these types of work, they are still deprived of property ownership. It has been found that micro-credit programs have enabled women to have access to some income. This study focuses on the impact of micro-credit program in Dalit women. The main objective of the study is to examine the socio-economic impact of micro-credit program on Dalit women. So, various tests related to the study i. e. difference in monthly income, economic independence etc. are performed to achieve the objective. The method adopted for the study is field survey and secondary data. Field survey is done using structured questionnaire, observation and interaction with different respondents. The secondary data is collected from the published, unpublished documents, articles, dissertation, journals, books, economic survey, etc. The respondents are from Tindowate VDC ward no. 8 and 9, Syangja where Muktinath Bikash Bank Limited is operating Micro-Credit program since 2008. The major finding of the study is that there is positive impact of micro- credit program in socio-economic condition of Dalit women. There is increase in average income level, expansion of small business, improvement on consumption pattern leading to better lifestyle. Dalit women are able to make decision about their spending income, co- operative loan and repayment, selling and buying assets, sending children for school, children's marriage and family planning because of financial. Dalit women are becoming self-dependent and there is increase in participation of women on economic and household decision and on social issues as well. Thus, positive effect on socio-economic upliftment of rural Dalit women is seen