Microfinance and women's empowerment

In the present context of women’s socio-economic empowerment, Bangladesh has played a revolutionary role in microcredit movement and has proved that the poor women are creditworthy and they can even do better in repaying the debt. This movement is no longer limited to only microcredit program; rather it includes more service-oriented in the frame of microfinance operation. Microcredit institutions in Bangladesh have dramatically increased the credit available to poor rural women since the mid-1980s. Moreover, Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) have become a dominant financial institution for the poor section of people, especially women who cannot access formal financial institutions in a large extent. Though poor women have access to microfinance, later it has been explored that due to various kind of patriarchal norms and other socio-economical constraints, women in most cases lose the control on proper utilization of debt. Even though, sometimes women’s decision-making power and the expansion of enterprise became shrink due to lack of control over the loan utilization process. This paper mainly focuses on how microfinance intervention in Bangladesh played a decisive role in women’s economic empowerment and to what extent government policy initiatives and institutional building approach assist in flourishing microfinance discourse more friendly for the most vulnerable poor women. Moreover, this paper also evaluates the most prominent two selected institutions named BRAC and Grameen Bank’s microfinance operation from a critical viewpoint and assess to what are the existing ambiguity in the arena of microfinance operation at the field level.

Microfinance has broadened rapidly since its inception in the late 1970s. However, scholars have divergent views on whether and how much it helps to lift the poor from the economic quagmire. This research investigates the assessment of the impact of participation in micro-finance. It is difficult to disentangle the impact on poverty reduction of microfinance as an anti-poverty intervention scheme and establish a causal relationship between participation and poverty indicators, because of unobserved heterogeneity and reverse causality problems. Using the 2009 data set, first, we estimated propensity scores for participation on several pre-treatment variables. We then matched clients and non-clients on the basis of these variables. Next, we estimated the average treatment effect, considering participation as a treatment, and participants as the treated group. Finally, we employed different matching methods to establish the robustness of the utilized methods. In addition, for the year (2007 and 2009) panel data sets, we used the fixed effect (FE) and random effect (RE) panel data analysis techniques to fully address the two major problems stated above. Although we found significant impact of microfinance on household productive assets, its impact on fixed assets and monthly expenditure is insignificant. The propensity score matching and the panel data analyses identified microfinance as having direct temporary effects on household productive assets but limited (no) effect on households' fixed assets and monthly expenditures.

ABSTRACT
In Tanzania the position of women in terms of economic and social status has been low compared to men. Majority of women are poorer, have low education and suffer from traditions and customary beliefs. Thus, empowering women is one of the main issues in Tanzania and sub- Sahara Africa context. Microfinance services are considered to be the entry point towards empowering women in economic and social status. However, it is also considered that Microfinance Institutions are extorting money from poor women through high interest rates, causing higher social pressure and domestic violence. The study uses quantitative and qualitative data from Serengeti District council at Mara region of Tanzania. The study used cross-sectional studies, whereby data was collected at a single point in time. In total 20 women participated in the survey. The data obtained was analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study found that, the impact of Microfinance Institutions on women empowerment is very crucial in Tanzania. Women members of Microfinance Institutions have more control over savings and income generated from the business, greater role in decision making, and greater contribution in household income. However, the women do not participate in decisions regarding inheritance of household assets. With this regard, microfinance institutions have more contribution in women empowerment.
Keywords: Microfinance, Institutions, Empowerment, Household, Decision making

This paper draws upon ethnographic work in the global microfinance industry as well as interviews with urban microfinance clients in southern India to subvert the gendered “microfinance myth” that supports the moral legitimacy of microfinance. I undermine the first part of the myth—that microfinance borrowers are “poor”—by examining the restrictive conditions under which the for-profit microfinance industry functions.  These conditions make sure that microfinance institutions (MFIs) can only serve the relatively well-off who are living in slum areas of urban India, limiting or eliminating access for the poorest. The second part of the myth I undermine—that microfinance borrowers are entrepreneurial—draws from interviews with clients and MFI employees, as well as ethnographic observations of MFI home visits with potential borrowers, to argue that microfinance borrowers are rarely entrepreneurial. Finally, I address the myth that loans provide empowerment to women who are suffering under the weight of patriarchal cultures.  I show that working class women served by the industry often work in close financial partnership with their husbands to enrich their livelihoods.  By undermining these three myths with the nuanced accounts of working class livelihoods I encountered in fieldwork as well as the details of loan conditionalities and the everyday pressures of the industry, this paper aims to expose the moral and financial ambiguity of microfinance transactions, and insist upon more fine-grained, detailed accounts of gender and poverty in the global South.

The “SMEs and Women-Owned SMEs in Mongolia” report highlights the key trends, challenges, and opportunities for Mongolian SMEs in three areas: enabling environment, supply and demand prospects for financial and non-financial services, and demand for and access to finance, with a particular focus on women-owned businesses. The study is expected to provide guidance to IFC and other financial institutions in the design and implementation of their SME Banking and Women-focused products in Mongolia.

This research study examines the factors affecting the financial performance of MFIs in Zimbabwe. This study is important to Zimbabwe because of the significant role MFIs are expected to play in the economy which has become to be dominated by the informal sector.

The research design will be based on mixed methods combining qualitative and quantitative research. The targeted population are microfinance institutions registered with the RBZ. As at 31 December 2018 registered microfinance institutions in Zimbabwe listed down to 203 and
the sample chosen consisted of 80 respondents. The sampling technique was based on simple random sampling. The analytical framework developed and used in this study was examined using data collected from the successful administration of 63 questionnaires. In terms of data analysis, the research study applied techniques which included descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. In inferential statistics, the research study employed regression analysis and correlation analysis.

The research study found different factors of influence on financial performance and these included Inflation rate, lending rate, operation self-sufficient and portfolio at risk. The study found out that in the model, the Inflation rate and lending rate were significant predictors of financial performance of MFIs. However, operation self-sufficient and portfolio at risk were found to be insignificant in predicting the financial performance of MFIs in Zimbabwe.
These conclusions were derived from the regression analysis of data inputted into the model, the research study found out that the regression model used was significant. 

It is recommended that the regulatory authorities should encourage international banks operating in the country to finance microfinance activities. The regulatory authorities should urgently address how MFIs come up with interest rates and charges they levy on clients. Lastly, the development of MFIs in Zimbabwe should be engrossed on improving their recognised capabilities.

El presente trabajo tiene la intención de comenzar a indagar sobre algunos aspectos de las condiciones económicas de las mujeres que aportan ingresos a sus hogares, y acerca de su cultura financiera en el ámbito doméstico. En él se presentan los resultados de las entrevistas a profundidad practicadas a cuatro mujeres: dos empleadas del sector público y una del sector privado, así como a una empresaria. Se identifican las instituciones donde llevan a cabo sus prácticas financieras y sus hogares, con el fin de conocer su cultura en el uso del dinero y el significado que le dan a este; además se considera si se han presentado modificaciones en el rol de género como resultado de los arreglos económicos y financieros suscitados en el hogar, y su influencia en la toma de decisiones y el empoderamiento de las mujeres.
La investigación hace referencia a la situación que viven actualmente en el empleo, los mercados de crédito y el financiamiento de los hogares. Cuatro mujeres que aportan ingresos al hogar, y da cuenta brevemente de las dinámicas de la relación en los hogares en cuanto a la contribución y el ingreso de acuerdo con el género y el empoderamiento de ellas.

Since Esther Boserup’s seminal book Women’s Role in Economic Development (1970), making women active economic actors has been a priority in the development field (Moser 1993, Kabeer 1994). Under the different logics that economic independence for women improves gender equality, addresses poverty, and increases the efficiency of whole economies, innumerable microfinance programmes have been implemented to serve female clients only (Moser 1993:56-79, Armendáriz and Morduch 2010:212-213).
With the shift from a Women in Development (WID) to a Gender and Development (GAD) paradigm during the 1990s and the rising recognition that the relationship between economic wellbeing and gender equality is neither linear nor causal (Mayoux 1999, Duflo 2005), attention was moved to redress unequal power relations between the sexes in society (Moser 1993:3,74). Despite this re-orientation, most microfinance programmes continued to finance only women and to dismiss men, ignoring couple dynamics (Kabeer 2000, Armendáriz and Roome 2008). Multiple studies have already shown this to be problematic by pointing to negative effects both for women’s ‘empowerment’ and gender equality overall (Mayoux 1999, 2001, Kabeer 2000, Leach and Sitaram 2002, Armendáriz and Morduch 2010:212), and many programmes have made an explicit move to a gender-sensitive approach (Esplen and Brody 2007, Barker and Schulte 2010).
Due to the important limitations of gender-specific development approaches that the microfinance field has made evident, but also the prominence of microfinance as an approach to women’s empowerment historically (and today), I select one such programme to unpack the ‘gender’ question for ‘development.’ The programme I discuss was designed for women, but it later extended loans to men. Tracing the transition from a gender-specific to a gender-sensitive approach validates many of the points raised in the critical literature, and makes evident the influence of man-woman power dynamics on the prospects of women’s empowerment. It also shows that employing a gender lens can help planners to perceive such complex interdependencies, and to redirect development objectives toward gender equal development that increases the likelihood of ‘good’ change for both men and women.
I start this paper by offering some working definitions. A following section provides the reader with an overview of women-only microfinance, the justification behind it, and some of its criticisms. Immediately after, I present the case-study, offering some final remarks in a concluding section.

"You can tell the condition of a nation by looking at the status of its women" -Jawaharlal Nehru Empowerment of women has emerged as an important issue in recent times. Human development report since 1999 demonstrate that practically no country in the world treats its women as well as men according to the measures of life expectancy wealth and education. Developing countries present especially urgent problems where caste and class result in acute failure of human capabilities of women. Women in this part of south East Asia lack essential support for fully functioning human lives. Within the country, particularly in West Bengal, there are many issues to be addressed closely.

Gender discrimination is a persistent problem faced by women all over the world, which has ledto the need to empower women for uplifting their status as recognized by Millennium Development Goals (2010). The present study focuses on the role of microfinance in empowering women and also acknowledges its' significance in alleviating poverty. The researcher used qualitative approach and case study method for in depth analysis of the phenomenon in context of Akhuwat, an interest free microfinance organization. It was recognized that microfinance brings about changes in women's lives: household condition, family wellbeing and social status. It is improved by availing the services of microfinance institution and interest free loans further add to their well-being. Present study focused on four background variables to examine their influence on decision making ability of women in aspects of their domestic and social life. Age, education, marital status and family type are important contributing factors that influence women's empowerment. It was also observed that women are more inclined to be altruistic and spend most of their income on their families. The present study can be further extended by incorporating more factors and increasing sample size in order to get more significant results.

ABSTRACT
Women constitute around fifty percent of the total human resources in our economy. Several studies indicate that self-help group programmes often in the form of credit or micro credit schemes and savings have succeeded in changing the lives of poor women by making way for enhanced income and increased self- esteem. This is evident from the mushrooming growth of self- help groups in Kenya It is in this view that the study examined the major role of Self-help Groups on women empowerment in Kesses, Uasin Gishu County of Kenya in order to find out if the generalized impacts apply to this region. The study also aimed at coming up with the factors that hinder or influence women on joining these groups. The literature reviewed showed that Self-help groups leads to women empowerment through poverty reduction, capacity building, decreased dependence and positive societal change in socio-cultural and economic status. The study design was descriptive in nature. The study used probability sampling techniques to create a sampling frame. In probability sampling, stratified random sampling and simple random sampling were used. Stratified random sampling was suitable in this case because the population was divided into different strata or sub groups. The sample size for the study was 200 women. The instrument for data collection was self-designed questionnaires which were administered to the respondents by the researcher and the research assistants. Data analysis was based on research questions. The findings were analyzed using quantitative procedures and the findings interpreted and represented using frequency tables and figures. The study concluded that: women have adequate knowledge on Self-help groups; women are not able to access long term loans that will boost their access to several income generating activities that will fully empower them; lack of adequate savings deters women from accessing enough credit facilities; social, economic and cultural factors hinder women empowerment; the patriarchal system has rendered women powerless in decision making; the level of education and wealth influences women affiliation to Self-help groups. The study recommended for provision of financial support, establishment of a monitoring and evaluation system within groups to monitor utilization of funds, and for provision of special trainings and education programmes for proper and efficient skills development in women.

Self Help Group is a microfinance setup of 15-20 women and it is a village & urban-based financial mediate. SHGs are based on monthly saving and are affiliated to NGOs and Bank. SHGs are under-age and innovative organisational setup in India for welfare and empowerment of women and it is promoted by Government. SHGs are also best means for providing opportunity to women in order to explore the inner selves and to build their leadership capacity and share ideas with
each other. Empowerment is a larger process to enable women to build capacity aimed to greater participation, effective decision making and build greater leadership in them.
This paper will try to find answers to questions like: Are SHGs playing important role in empowering women? What is the role of organisation and what are other different initiatives taken by SHGs to empower women and put them in development of India? The paper will draw experi- ences from the field work setting.

This thesis paper aims to study microfinance operations in Bangladesh. Besides, the study examines Islamic microfinance activities in general. Qualitative methods and secondary data have been used in this study. Since independence, Bangladesh has seen many ups and downs in its economy. In this context, it is notable that the country's per capita income has exceeded around two thousand US dollars in recent years. All the indicators of GDP growth are going upward.  The overall economic growth is more than 7% consistently. This study has found that, with the development of microfinance services in Bangladesh since the 1980s, the poverty rate has been decreased, and significant results have been observed.  The poverty rate declined gradually since 1991, which was 57% in 1991, decreased to 21% until 2018. Microfinance has an essential place in the economic growth of Bangladesh. By the end of 2018, microfinance institutions have $ 7.17 billion in outstanding annual loans and collected 10.46 billion in the form of paid loans within approximately 31.20 million members. Over the past two decades, Islamic microfinance (IMFs) has been a socio-economic development approach along with traditional microfinance in many countries. This thesis paper concludes that Islamic microfinance plays a vital role in poverty reduction with aid financing tools such as zakat and charity. Islamic microfinance institutions also offer micro-credit by means of various mechanisms based on the principles of sharia such as Karz-i-Hasan, Murabaha, Mudaraba, Takaful, Ijarah, and Salam. Moreover, Islamic microfinance is supporting the strengthening of the economy by financing entrepreneurs and sharing possible risks. Therefore, there is a significant potentiality for Islamic microfinance in achieving the 2030 SDGs.

The world in which we are living is continuously on the move. It is changing every day and in every aspect and consistently compelling us to change the way we live. Every now and then creates hell and heaven difference with new invention. With each passing day we are becoming more and more dependent on technology. In this era of digitalisation, cashless economy has a great scope in India. Demonetization has thrown a challenge to every citizen in terms of limited cash which has provide a base to opt for cashless mode. The proposed study focuses on the impact and importance of cashless economy and its hurdles in India. Cashless economy will reduce cash related robbery thereby reducing risk of carrying cash. Cashless economy helps in modernization of payment system, Reduction in high security and safety risk, Reduction in the cost of banking service and also curb banking related corruption. It will also reduce cash related corruption and attract more foreign investors to make investment in the country. Electronic banking system makes banking transactions easier by giving services closer to its customers hence improving banking industry performance. But, the financial safety over the digital payment channel must be conformed for fulfilment of cashless economy.

This research paper aims to examine the commercial microfinance companies after licensing to three companies to provide financial services according to the law no: 141-2014 released by Egyptian financial supervisory authority (EFSA), using data collection from website and interview, comparing three companies' data with the Alexandria business association, the study shows that companies provide services to existing enterprises with higher rate than the companies' data with the Alexandria, gender diversification play great role in providing loan, difference in micro enterprise definition. in addition , companies' data with the Alexandria business association provides more program than the three companies and other services to communities. Keyword: micro finance, commercial micro finance, Egyptian micro finance law, Tasaheel micro financing, Reefy for micro financing, Tanmeyah, the Alexandria business association.

Community led local development and community driven development played
a mandatory role in rural development of both developed and under developed countries.
The paper explores the relationship between community empowerment, sense of community
and sustainability of community-driven projects. Looking at the record of social
well at gross root level, very less attention was paid on development of deprived communities.
Starting from the experience of community-driven organizations (i.e. the Citizen
Community Boards in Pakistan), the paper attempts to answer two questions: (1) is there a
relationship between community empowerment and project sustainability; and (2) is this
relationship between community empowerment and project sustainability mitigated by the
sense of community? Further, the paper elaborates on the concepts of ‘‘community
empowerment’’, ‘‘sustainability’’ and ‘‘sense of community’’. A hierarchical regression
analysis is used to test the relationship between community empowerment and sustainability
of community-driven projects. This analysis highlights the central role of the sense
of community in mitigating the relationship between community empowerment and sustainability.
Community empowerment is significantly related to the sense of community.
These relationships between sense of community, community empowerment and sustainability
of community-driven projects are applicable to empowerment theory and
measurement.

This paper aims to examine the women empowerment literature by microcredits. The first part of this paper demonstrates arguments on definition of women empowerment and different measurements of empowerment, additionally in this part I will look at institutions influence on empowerment. The second part of the paper includes positive and negative verdicts of empowerment by microcredit.

This paper reviews the literature on the effect of microfinance on women's empowerment. The inclusion of women empowerment among other things in the UN's Millennium Development Goals evidently demonstrates the importance of women empowerment in economic development. As a consequence, several empirical studies have been undertaken to ascertain if any relationship exists between developmental tools such as microfinance and empowerment of women. Empirical results suggest that microfinance through micro-credit has positively improved the well-being of women. However, most of the studies considered only an aspect/dimension of women's empowerment and largely at household level. Developmental efforts should focus on multiple dimensions of women empowerment at all levels.

Women are emerging as important players in Pakistan’s economy. Despite an increasing presence in the micro, small, and medium enterprise sectors, women’s lack of access to finance remains one of the key constraints for enterprise growth. This paper highlights the benefits of greater access to finance for women in Pakistan and provides an overview of the constraints and opportunities for increasing access. In addition to financial and nonfinancial recommendations for microfinance institutions, the paper provides suggestions for how the government can promote women’s access to finance and, in so doing, support women’s social and economic empowerment.

This study was aimed at examining the socio-economic impact of Microfinance services on the livelihoods of women beneficiaries in Loro Sub-county, Oyam District. Fifty respondents were interviewed and ten of these were Board and employees of Microfinance Institutions. Two Microfinance Institutions were identified as providing services to the community in Loro Sub-county, Oyam District. A variety of literature on Microfinance in the developed world, developing world, Africa, Uganda, Oyam District and Loro Sub-county was reviewed. The study was carried out using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect the data that is presented in tables, graphs and numbers to examine the socio-economic impact of Microfinance services on the livelihoods of women beneficiaries in Loro Sub-county. The findings of the study reveal that Microfinance Institutions operating in Loro Sub-county, Oyam District provide services like training and skills development, credit facilities and savings mobilization, banking facilities, supervision and monitoring of the clients, provision of agriculture finance. The services are particularly provided to women groups, salary earners, and individual women and men. The repayment of the credit facilities is usually through monthly instalments. The size of the loan depends on the MFI but ranges from fifty thousand to millions of shillings. The security usually required is group collateral in case of groups and any other as deemed necessary for the individual by the MFI. The study examined that women who accessed the loans from MFIs were able to improve their socio-economic status through starting up and or expanding investments and enterprises, paying school fees for their children, purchase of household items like furniture, land and solar installation, building of houses, confidence building, participation in leadership roles etc. The research also found out that women face some challenges in their access and utilization of the MFI services and these include; the culture does not allow, poverty (No money to open account, some does not understand Microfinance (SACCO), policies and procedures are long, fear and mistrust of employee, lack of business skills, Politics in the Microfinance (SACCO), distance to the Microfinance Institution, fear of collapse of Microfinance Institution and many more. The respondents recommended that the government should intervene, especially where interest rate is concerned and centralize it or make it uniform and also monitor the operations of the MFIs so that they offer adequate services to the women. Microfinance Institutions should carry out gender sensitization, promote and encourage financial transparency among couple, increase in women awareness and understanding on Microfinance Institutions, adjustment in product, policies and procedures, training women in business skills and encourage them to start income generating activities, making Microfinance an operating environmentally friendly to women and other efforts. The researcher recommends that the Microfinance Institutions should expand the spectrum of their products to include social loans for funerals, weddings, as well as non-economic aspects like school fees. Beneficiaries should not move from one MFI to another. They ought to acquire the loan when they have some investment already, study the MFI before acquiring the services and support each other as a group to ensure that there is progress in the various undertakings. The results of the research have led to the assertion and affirmation that although the benefits may vary from one beneficiary to another and from one community to another, Microfinance has in various ways played a significant impact in the socio-economic development of women in Loro Sub-county, Oyam District.

There is a widely held view that women are deprived socially, economically and politically in relation to their male counterparts. For socio-cultural and other reasons, women, as girls, would not have had access to education, and those who did would have accessed lower levels of this resource. For that matter, women and girls are disproportionately affected by poverty and discrimination.
However, it has been realised that empowering women to participate fully in economic life across all sectors and throughout all levels of economic activity is essential to building strong economies; establish more stable and just societies; achieve internationally agreed goals for development, sustainability and human rights; improve quality of life for women, men, families and communities; and propel businesses’ operations and goals. Microfinance has emerged to provide financial loans to the poor that are not made available to them through the formal banking system. Microfinance programmes targeting women have been promoted since the mid-1990s as a key strategy for simultaneously addressing both poverty reduction and women’s empowerment.
In the light of this, the main objective of this study was to assess how microfinance services lead to the socio-economic empowerment of women. Taking responses from 93 beneficiaries of ASA Savings and Loans Limited’s (Suame Branch) microfinance programme, it was revealed that access to credit from microfinance has contributed immensely to the economic empowerment of women through improvement in their businesses. The study also shows that access to microfinance has improved the status of women both at the family level and in society as a whole. At the family level, the study reported an improvement in household income and standard of living of the family. The social level, there was a rise in the confidence level of clients, increased degree of socialisation and positive outlook.
It is recommended that the company extends their loans to women as start-up capital and also consider conducting and supporting research in order to monitor and improve their impact on empowering and upgrading the status of women.

for a flight to Kathmandu. After spending three months in remote Bangladeshi villages, my perception of poverty has changed, my understanding of power has shifted. I will always be indebted to the respondents of my study and, equally, to the hundreds of northern Bangladeshi farmers, petty-laborers, rickshaw pullers, who candidly shared their harsh stories of poverty, deprivation, vulnerability, powerlessness and helped me deepen my hitherto meager understanding of miserable, but a complex global south." ABSTRACT Manoj Kumar Bhusal, Does microfinance really empower? A study on the contribution of microfinance in empowering the poor women of northern Bangladesh. Language: English. Järvenpää. Autumn 2010. 98 pages. 2 appendices. Diaconia University of Applied Sciences. Degree Programme in Social Services. Degree: Bachelor of Social Services.

The microfinance system of Grameen Bank is a revolutionary tool to eradicate poverty of the rural people especially the women of Bangladesh. At present GB is the largest microfinance bank in Bangladesh and probably the biggest microcredit organization in the world. It provides loans to assetless and landless poor people whom no commercial bank give loan. Microcredit is the most useful and popular financial system in the world to face financial crisis of the poor people. Grameen Bank loan distribution has risk of default and sometimes the loans are used even dowry which is crime against women right. The rate of interest in Grameen Bank is very high and due to high interest rate the poor women can not use the loan in a high profitable business to bear this burden, so some of the borrowers lose lands and assets to pay the loan. The paper discusses both advantages and drawbacks of Grameen Bank with mathematical calculations in some details.

Poverty eradication and women empowerment are being an important agenda of Government of Malaysia since independence. We can see variety of policies and government's efforts to ensure the poor and women are defended and not marginalized in the society of this country.
One of the government's efforts is to set up an institution named as Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) which is to provide microfinance services as well as to help empower the poor among women in Malaysia. Sabah state has become the focus in this study because that state has recorded the highest poverty rate statistics in Malaysia. This study is intended to look at the impact of microfinance on poverty eradication and empowerment of women in Sabah. To achieve the objectives of the study, questionnaires were distributed in ten districts in Sabah. A
total of 300 members of AIM, as known as SAHABAT in Sabah which consists of 153 microfinance borrowers and 147 non-borrowers had given their responded to the survey. A few tests had been used in this study to examined and analyzed the data such as Wilcoxon Sign
Ranked test, Mann-Whitney test, Paired t-test, Chi-square test, and also descriptive analysis. The key findings in this study is firstly, microfinance program had a positive effect on the average income of the participants of AIM in Sabah. Secondly, microfinance programs only show a positive impact on the empowerment of women in terms of the level of independence and decision-making in the household, but no effect was given to the control of household resources.

This paper investigates the impact of External Factors (EF) on the Loan Delinquency (LD) of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs). Drawing upon a field level survey developed in line with linker five scale and conducted in 2014-2015 to 416 respondents in 78 MFIs located in seven different regions of Cameroon, the paper examines if external variable such as Legislative Issues (LI), Economic Contagion (EC) and Economic Down Turn (EDT) are root causes of loan Delinquency in MFIs. While acknowledging other contributing factors to LD such as late disbursements, poor timing, high interest rate, poor training to staff/ beneficiaries, management inefficiency etc. Multiple regression analysis was used to establish relationship between LD and the identified external factors. The regression results obtained indicates LI is the core external cause of MFIs LD. CE and EDT were identified to be statistically insignificant. Therefore, we can conclude that in addition to profit motive (internal cause), LI as an external factor contribute significantly to the alarming rate of LD in MFIs. To overcome this challenge requires a collective effort both from the regulatory authorities, the government the banking commission and above all the general assembly of these institutions. The paper finally contends that major stakeholders in the microfinance scene of Cameroon have failed in their roles to strengthened MFIs sufficiently to cope with rising challenges in the market. The paper considers delinquency management as a gauge not only for MFIs sustainability but as a means to boost deteriorating customers' confidence.

Microfinance is a type of banking service that is provided to unemployed or low-income individuals or groups who would otherwise have no other means of gaining financial services. Micro finance through Self Help Group (SHG) has been recognized internationally as the modern tool to combat poverty and for rural development. Micro finance and SHGs are effective in reducing poverty, empowering women and creating awareness which finally results in sustainable development of the nation. The main aim of microfinance is to empower women. In this paper the role played by Microfinance in women's empowerment are considered into three dimensions namely psychological, social and economical. The objectives of the study is i) to understand the performance of SHG's in Pondicherry region, ii) to analyze the freedom women members get in SHG's, iii) to study the problems women members face in SHG's, iv) to analyze the empowerment of the women psychologically, economically and socially and v) to offer suggestions for the betterment of women's empowerment in SHG's. The study is undertaken in rural areas of Pondicherry region. Both primary and secondary data's are used. Primary data is enumerated from a field survey in the study region. Secondary data is collected from NGOs' reports and other documents. The researcher has used percentage method, simple correlation coefficient, paired t test and cross tabulation for analysis purpose. Analysis showed that there is a gradual increase in the all the three factors among rural women's. From the interaction among the respondents it is noticed that some members are expecting the NGO to come up with more training sessions in income generating activities. All they need is a way to develop their skills and talents by participating in various training programs. There is a definite improvement in psychological well being and social empowerment among rural women as a result of participating in micro finance through SHG program.

Drawing on extensive interviews with clients and other stakeholders, this book explores the micro nance process in one of the poorest regions of sub- Saharan Africa, northern Ethiopia, and demonstrates the true potentials and problems of the ever-expanding micro nance industry to reduce poverty, help build social capital, and empower poor women. It explores the complex and contradictory social and cultural environments in which micro nance pro ects are located and assesses and evaluates their true potential to transform the livelihoods of poor agriculturalists in Ethiopia. I believe that, amidst the rapidly growing voices of discontent in micro nance from around the world, a speci c African picture is missing and much needed.  ith a speci c focus on the experience of micro nance in northern Ethiopia, this book tackles some of the core aspects of micro nance: poverty reduction, social capital and women’s empowerment. It also highlights the role of local governments in shaping local micro nance markets and provides a  ne grained and grounded account of micro nance from the micro nance borrower’s perspective.

This study examines how discourses of entrepreneurial womanhood, filtered through a chain of hierarchically positioned
actors in global microfinance, translate into interactions with borrowers. Drawing from ethnography, interviews, and document analysis on a set of entrepreneurial trainings delivered to nonentrepreneurial borrowers in urban India, this study argues that parallel, conflicting processes of cultural adaptation within the organization, and tensions between various actors, create an environment in which there is no incentive to cater to the interests of working class clients. Commercialized microfinance, thus, may not necessarily produce accountability to client interests.

The results show that MFIs clients' preferences are driven by economic (low interest rates, low collateral and size of loan) and non-economic factors (such as quality of services variables; easiness, speed, nearness, payment method and loan officers' profile). The results also indicate that BRI, a conventional MFI, is ranked the most competitive according to these factors, followed by BPRS (Islamic rural banks), BPR (conventional rural banks) and BMT (Baitul Maal wa Tamwil).

Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to identify the intersection between Islamic microfinance (MF) (IsMF) and Takaful in high-risk economies and propose a model for the sustainable application of IsMF. The word Takaful, although used to refer to Islamic insurance, means solidarity and is used as such in this paper.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper used a descriptive and analytical method to present findings derived from secondary data collected from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics and primary data from semi-structured interviews.

Findings
Need in the Palestinian household is very high, and the performance of Palestinian MF institutions (MFI) was found to have deviated from the spirit of MF. A significant shortcoming by MFI lies in the Palestinian law that focuses on organizing MFI’s operations as financial institutions only. With a deviated purpose and generalized laws, the paper proposed a model of IMF. The model consists of three stages covering mission and market-based financing for the economically incapable and those better off. Finally, enacting laws to protect micro-enterprises and cooperation between institutions that operate at each stage is necessary.

Originality/value
This research contributes to the literature on MF and IsMF, especially in high-risk countries. Furthermore, this study proposes a model for IsMF best practices based on the spirit of MF where it is most needed.

Promoting small and medium size enterprises is a governmental strategy aimed at achieving national economic development through poverty allevia-tion, employment creation and other income generation activities. This study examined the determinants of small and medium size enterprises access to credit schemes around Mezam Division located in the North West Region of Cameroon. A two-stage sampling technique was used to obtain data from over 294 enterprises. Descriptive statistics and logit regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Results revealed that 5.8% of the small and medium size enterprises had accessed bank credit only while 92.2% obtained finance from informal credit sources. The logit analysis indicated that access to formal credit was determined by the educational level of the enterprise owner or manager, longevity in business, and the availability of collateral security. Government policies with respect to credit access by enterprises should be involved and begin from both lenders and creditors.

Global cooperation for poverty alleviation and development issues are among the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (2016-2030) and have recently been the subject of frequent academic discussion. Today's poverty has become like a big barrier to economic growth and development. Especially developing and under-developing countries have been facing this problem frequently. Poverty is the main problem of sustainable human development. Islamic microfinance is considered to be the most appropriate form of current micro-credit that promises the same benefits based on the Sharia. In addition, disseminating smaller consistent financial products than existing funding alternatives such as Islamic microfinance to increase social awareness and facilitate access to financial instruments in order to ensure social development with a social purpose. Instead of credit, it includes Islamic microfinance, trading activities with murabahah, equity financing with mudarabah and musharakah, savings with kardh, money transfer system with zakat and charity, and insurance with takaful. Islamic microfinance practices have emerged as an alternative way for poverty alleviation by ensuring the compliance of financial transactions with Islamic law.

The research paper aims to find out and analyses the contribution of the Islamic Microfinance to the social economy. For all that, this paper will also asses the strength, weakness, opportunity, and threat (SWOT) analysis of Islamic macro-finance. This research paper conducts according to the exploratory, descriptive, and case study-oriented research method in relation to find out Islamic microfinance activities into the market. Data collection method provides qualitative data collection based on secondary data processing. The secondary data collection is mainly followed by using different papers, studies, websites, official reports, government report, and other sources. Islamic Microfinance has shown as a potential alternative way for reducing poverty level from the society by ensuring social awareness programs and implementing Islamic microfinance opportunities, which reveal the contribution of the Islamic Microfinance to the social economy. Until now, the focus for Islamic microfinance practitioners, microfinance has been very similar to traditional debt financing instruments. In Islamic microfinance applications, in addition to the group-based method, individual financing method is also used to provide members with financing.

Today, microfinance is considered as one the important financial services in many countries. Microfinance is preferred to alleviate poverty. It empowers women and uplifts their standard of living. The present study was conducted to assess the impact of microfinance on poor women. This study was done on 384 poor women in North Gujarat who had the Below Poverty Line (BPL) Card. This study was carried out using correlation, regression, and factor analysis. From the factor analysis on 30 variables, four major factors emerged : (a) Enhancement in Quality of Food, Education, Shelter, and Health Services, (b) Enhancement in Monthly Income and Spending, (c) Enhancement in Decision Making Ability, and (d) Development of Personality. Correlation analysis revealed that data was fit for performing regression analysis. A regression analysis was run on the four factors derived from factor analysis, where the Enhancement in Monthly Income and Spending contributed the most ; whereas, Development of Personality contributed the least to the upgradation of social and economic status of women. Overall, the study has practical implications where the government and non government organizations (NGOs) can work on microfinance services and can reduce the level of poverty and uplift the living standard of poor people.

Kənd yerlərində yaşayan qadınların iqtisadi sahədə səlahiyyətlərinin genişləndirilməsi və sosial həyatda iştirakı yoxsulluq, aclıq və ərzaq çatışmazlığı hallarını aradan qaldırmaq və davamlı inkişafa nail olmaq üçün göstərilən qlobal səviyyəli cəhdlərdə mühüm rol oynayır. Qadınlar, dünyada kənd təsərrüfatındakı işçi qüvvəsinin böyük bir hissəsini (43 faiz) təşkil edir. Dünya ərzaq istehsalının yarısı qadınların üzərinə düşür və əksər inkişaf etməkdə olan ölkələrdə onlar ərzağın 60 və 80 faizini istehsal edirlər.