Abstract
Based on the constructivist epistemological point and qualitative research design, the present study attempts to explore the experiences of rural women about microcredit programs. The population of this study comprised of women beneficiaries of microcredit dwelling from District Sheikhupura, Pakistan. The purposive sampling technique has been used to select respondents for in-depth interviews. The researchers have started fieldwork with some broader questions in their minds as informed by the grounded theory approach (Charmaz, 2006; Jerolmack, 2007; Strauss & Corbin, 1990). These in-depth interviews and field observations enabled the researchers to draw some new themes and inferences. The researchers have included all these themes and inferences in their interview guide for further interviews. A total of 21 in-depth interviews have been conducted which include the 7 interviews at the initial stage of data collection. It was observed that microcredit has some positive as well as some negative consequences on the lives of the recipient. It was positively linked with women’s economic empowerment, improvement in their well-being, decrease in intimate partner violence, positive influence on the member’s own and their children’s health, education, and nutrition patterns. However, some of the respondents said that microcredit did nothing with their empowerment rather it indulge them in extreme poverty and increased male dominance at the household level. Keywords: Microcredit, Women Empowerment, Intimate Partner Violence, Patriarchy, Extreme Poverty, Money Lenders
Highlights
A significant population of Pakistan is that of females (Iftikhar et al, 2009)
This situation is explained by another respondent: My business boosted up when I got microcredit from microfinance institutions (MFIs)
The respondents described that microcredit facilities by MFI in their local area facilitated them to get rid of local money lenders
Summary
A significant population of Pakistan is that of females (Iftikhar et al, 2009). Most of the rural females are housewives and are engaged in agricultural activities (Ishaq & Memon, 2016, p. 1; Arshad et al, 2013). The main source of rural women’s income generation other than livestock and agriculture is small business and trade at the village level, for example, handicraft, embroidery, tailoring, weaving, leatherwork, pottery, ceramics, and food processing activities (Jabeen et al, 2020). These home-based income-earning activities are very important for their household expenses (Waheed, 2009; Zaman, 2009; Suguna, 2006; Khan, 2008)
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