SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH MICROFINANCE SERVICES IN PHALEBAS MUNICIPALITY, PARBAT NEPAL

Abstract

The study was conducted in Phalebas Municipality and aimed to analyze the influence of microfinance services on the enhancement of women's social empowerment. In the study, the dependent variable are freedom in mobility, freedom in decision making & political and social awareness along with independent variable is microfinance services: micro-credit, micro-saving and training. Descriptive and causal comparative research designs with quantitative data were used. The sample size of 181 women respondents were selected by simple random sampling technique. Structured 5-point Likert scale close end questionnaires were used in order to collect primary data whereas secondary data were collected by reviewing different literatures regarding the research subject. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and regression analysis and qualitative analysis were done to support the result of research. Frequency distribution and percentages are used for the presentation of study findings. The study reveals that microfinance services such as micro-saving and training services except micro-credit, significantly and positive impact on social empowerment of women. The finding of the study indicate the empirical evidence that micro saving and training have a greater impact on social empowerment of women whereas microcredit services has a negative impact on social empowerment of women. The study provides policy recommendations & guidelines to policy makers and other stakeholders of MFIs