Abstract
Background/Objectives: Some recent studies have empirically proved that micro-finance schemes launched for women empowerment have failed to attain their required goals as women are just used as a tool to get loans; In this context, the present study is undertaken to verify the usefulness of microcredit for women empowerment in Pakistan. Methods/Statistical analysis: Quantitative approach is used to assess the impact of microfinance loan services on women economic empowerment and to see whether members of microfinance institutes are equally empowered to the nonmembers. For this purpose, survey was conducted in Multan District of Punjab, Pakistan. Independent sample t-test is used to estimate the difference between two independent groups of participants. In a sample size of 300 women, 200 are participants of MFI while rest of the 100 are non-participants. The data has been analyzed by using Independent-samples t-test, as it is the comparison of two different independent groups. Findings: The study shows that women members of micro-finance institutions (MFIs) are more empowered compared to non-members. Overall, the results show that there is a positive relationship between MFI and women economic empowerment in Multan. Women participants of MFI have greater role in decision-making, more autonomy in mobility, greater control over income and savings generated from income generating activities, more role in employment generation and increased ownership of productive assets and property than non-member MFIs. Novelty/Applications: The current study presents a case for a nuanced and more-sophisticated analysis of the linkages between MFIs memberships and women\'s empowerment. Empowerment alone may not automatically lead to empowerment, but networks and guidance also important factors that can determine the success or failure of the empowerment approach. Thus, MFIs should hold meetings with women to guide them about the proper use of loan in their business activities. Keywords: Gender; independent-samples t- test; microfinance institutes; women-empowerment; Multan
Highlights
Women empowerment is a multi-dimensional and complex concept, which has different connotations in different cultures, religions, economies and even within different segments of a society
This research is based on the microfinance sector, so the percentage of female participants of micro-finance institutions (MFIs) e was greater compared to the female nonparticipants
We can conclude that women can be better off by increasing their income through availing different microfinance loan programs
Summary
Women empowerment is a multi-dimensional and complex concept, which has different connotations in different cultures, religions, economies and even within different segments of a society. It means enabling women to determine their choices of life. Women have been deprived of accessing financial resources, and restrained from education, business activity, and social inclusion. There are a number of financial or business activities through which women can develop their quality of life. According to Change (2018) microfinance industry grew at 7.6 percent during first quarter of 2018 with gross loan portfolio of PKR 224 billion. They have been deprived of material resources since centuries, and social means such as knowhow about business activities and education. The key exertion of micro-credit is to empower women as well as to increase the number of institutions of microfinance for female clients because females are poorer, not empowered as men and possess secondary status in society especially in the developing countries [2,3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
