Role of Rural Development Bank in Women Empowerment: A Poverty Alleviation Perspective

Sirjana Kafle

doi:10.3126/njdrs.v16i0.31574

Abstract

The study seeks to explain role of Rural Development Bank (RDB) for empowering women from poverty alleviation perspective. More so, this study was conducted in Shankarnagar located in Rupendehi District. Under quantitative case study methodology, necessary data are collected from 120 respondents selected randomly. The results show that Shankarnagar area office of RDB has played remarkable role in reducing poverty in the study area. The social and financial programmes implemented this bank has helped to alleviate poverty in some extent. It has also contributed to increase family income, self employment opportunities, better health and hygiene, better living standard, saving and credit activities and access to quality child education. Hence, better to make further social/financial plans/programmes for reducing poverty in general and empowering women in particular.

Highlights

Survey and census authority has proved that, Nepal is the one of the poor and least developed country in the world with only US$ 859 per capita income and exhibits huge poverty and underdevelopment
The recent estimate done by the National Planning Commission (NPC) in Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) is 38 percent
Women empowerment through financial activities in general and through rural development bank must be highlighted by academicians and professional researchers

Summary

Introduction

Survey and census authority has proved that, Nepal is the one of the poor and least developed country in the world with only US$ 859 per capita income and exhibits huge poverty and underdevelopment. Considering the inflation level, the income at the current prices of 2001 turned out to be Rs. 6,100/- and according, 42 percent of the people were estimated to be living below the poverty line in Nepal. A significant percent of people, both men and women, poor and rich and urban and rural society feels that in Nepal economic liberalization has not been able to reduce poverty. General health and sanitation to landless and poorest of the poor people in the rural areas in order to uplift their socio-economic condition and general living standard. In this context, women empowerment through financial activities in general and through rural development bank must be highlighted by academicians and professional researchers. This study tried to explain role of Rural Development Bank (Grameen Bikash Bank) in the process of empowering women living around Shankarnagar socially and economically

Methodology

Findings

Result and Discussion

Conclusion