Inclusion In Rural Areas Research Articles

Differences in LGBTQ young people’s mental health, wellbeing, and community involvement by residential location

ABSTRACT Residential location can significantly impact the mental health, wellbeing, and community involvement of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) young people. While research has explored geographical differences in LGBTQ adult wellbeing, limited knowledge exists regarding LGBTQ young people’s experiences. Using a large Australian cross-sectional survey of 6,620 LGBTQ individuals aged 14–21, this study examined the associations between residential location and wellbeing outcomes. Findings revealed that LGBTQ young people in rural and remote areas reported higher levels of psychological distress. Cisgender young people in rural areas experienced more verbal and physical harassment, while those in inner-suburban areas faced increased sexual harassment. Participants were also particularly vulnerable to experiencing homelessness when living in regional towns and rural and remote areas. Trans young people were more likely to attend LGBTQ events in inner-suburban areas. These results emphasize the need for policy changes to foster diversity and inclusion in rural areas, along with targeted support services to enhance the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQ young people. Understanding the unique experiences of LGBTQ young people across different residential locations is vital, calling for tailored interventions and support in all settings.

FINANCIAL INCLUSION AND THE INFORMAL SECTOR DURING AND POST-COVID 19 ERAS: STATUS, CHALLENGES AND WAY FORWARD

COVID 19 is one of the major disasters that significantly disrupted the socio-economic statuses of various businesses and nations at large. The purpose of the study was to explore the extent to which COVID 19 affected financial inclusion in Zimbabwe. The quantitative research methodology and the purposive sampling technique were employed. Data was collected using in-depth and focus discussion group interviews from 35 participants. Data was analysed using thematic data analysis approach. Barred people in rural areas from accessing financial services which directly and indirectly increased the magnitude of poverty among people running informal businesses. Financial inclusion, is a key driver to poverty reduction; hence the negative impact of on financial inclusion significantly propels poverty in societies. Digitalizing financial services is one of the strategies which can be utilized to promote financial inclusion in the post- era. Financial institutions should use technology in financial services, so that those in rural areas do not incur transport and logistical costs for accessing financial services. Digital finance and other various financial innovations should be used to achieve financial inclusion in rural areas. Policies that encourage the delivery of formal financial services in rural areas should be developed. Governments should consider granting subsidy to providers of financial services so that they can offer basic financial services at low cost to the excluded population. Thus, governments ought to commit themselves to the delivery of accessible, affordable, appropriate and cost-effective financial services to unserved or underserved households. The study provides managers of financial institutions with various techniques of providing financial services to the informal sector in the post- eras in rural areas. It also provides managers with information pertaining to the risks in providing financial services in post-pandemic era in rural areas. Managers of internet service providers has a role in making sure that the rural folk have access to the facility so that digital banking systems become realizable.

Empowering Self-Help Groups: The Impact of Financial Inclusion on Social Well-Being

Financial inclusion (FI) relates to the access and availability of financial services to society, especially in low-income groups. FI is pivotal in achieving 7 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper explores the level of FI in the rural areas of Maharashtra and measures the impact of FI on the social conditions of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) prevalent in these areas. The study is based on a 424 SHGs survey conducted in the Pune, Thane, and Palghar districts of Maharashtra, India. The impact of FI on SHGs is evaluated using a Structural Equation Model (SEM). The results of the study show that physical banking services, Business Facilitators (BFs), and Business Correspondents (BCs) improve the social conditions of rural SHGs. Additionally, BCs and BFs mediate the relationship between physical banking services and social conditions. The study also reveals an insignificant association between BCs and BFs and insurance services. The present study highlights the importance of increasing the awareness of insurance policies through financial literacy programs and making timely availability and accessibility of BCs and BFs to enhance financial inclusion in rural areas.

Factors That Affect Rural Financial Inclusion: A Case of Gambella Town, Gambell Peoples National Regional State, Ethiopia

The significance of an inclusive financial system is widely acknowledged in the policy community, and it is now a top priority in many nations, including Ethiopia. This study aimed to analyze the elements that affect financial inclusion in rural areas and how to increase it among customers and residents of Gambella People’s National Regional State in Ethiopia. The population was condensed to include only the staff of the Gambella Saving and Credit Institution in Gambella town. The study employed primary data, and STATA 13 and the Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) 23 were used to analyze the data. Data were collected in the form of descriptive and inferential statistics. The study discovered that characteristics that affect financial inclusion had statistically significant and positive relationships with sex, marital status, religion, degree of education, service quality, income, and trust in financial services. However, the proximity to a financial institution’s branch and a resident’s ID card had a detrimental impact on the characteristics that influence financial inclusion. The report also suggests managers and decision-makers at the Oromia Credit and Saving Association should take great care in how they carry out their duties and consistently seek to inspire and raise awareness among the people by emphasizing the value and benefits of being financially integrated. Keywords: credit and saving institution, factors, financial inclusion, gambella, logit model

Digital Inclusion in Rural Areas: A Case Study in Two Indonesian Villages

The acceleration of digital transformation is an unavoidable challenge for all countries worldwide, including in rural areas. However, there is a digital divide between rural and urban areas. Digital inclusion is a condition that needs to be achieved to close the gap. This study aims to measure digital inclusion based on four key dimensions: access, skills, use, and supportive environment, which are represented by several indicators and variables at the village level. We compare two cases in Indonesia, namely Tamansari Village initiated by the government and Melung Village initiated by the local community. Our results show that digital inclusion in both cases already has the dimensions of access and actual use which tend to be suitable for the majority of the households. However, the skills and supportive environment dimensions still need to be improved in the two study areas. It is indicated because the approach are still focused on providing access, not improving skills through optimizing the benefits of digital technology.

The Impact of Emerging Technologies on Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development

In an era marked by climate change, population growth, and resource scarcity, the agricultural sector faces significant challenges. Emerging technologies, encompassing precision agriculture, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and more, have emerged as powerful tools to address these challenges. The paper provides an extensive analysis of how these technologies revolutionize farming practices, resource management, market access, and rural livelihoods. It delves into the role of precision agriculture in optimizing resource use, IoT and remote sensing in data-driven decision-making, AI in crop management, and blockchain in transparent supply chains. Moreover, it explores the potential for digital financial services to enhance financial inclusion in rural areas. While recognizing the vast potential of these technologies, it highlights crucial considerations such as digital divides, data privacy, and ethical implications. It underscores the importance of responsible adoption, regulatory frameworks, and equitable access to ensure that emerging technologies benefit all, particularly smallholder farmers and marginalized communities. Drawing on a wide range of research, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current landscape and future prospects of emerging technologies in sustainable agriculture and rural development. It underscores the transformative potential of these technologies in building resilient, sustainable, and inclusive agricultural systems, ultimately contributing to global efforts towards food security and rural prosperity.

Evaluating internet access and information needs in different age cohorts

The digital divide remains a notable hurdle to equitable development, with rural communities in particular, where there are high tendencies for poor access to information and communication technology (ICT). This study examines the availability and utilization of free internet services, the satisfaction of information needs, and the engagement with online information services across three age groups 15-19, 20-29, and 30-49 in Ulemon community in Edo state, Nigeria. Utilizing a structured survey and data analysis conducted via Microsoft Power BI (Business Intelligence), the research reveals critical disparities in digital access and usage. The results indicate that the 20-29 age group has the highest access to free internet at 60%, the highest utilization rate at 40%, the greatest satisfaction with their information needs at 55%, and the highest usage of online information services at 75%. These findings point out the urgency in the need for designated interventions to enhance digital inclusion in rural areas. Recommended actions include expanding broadband infrastructure, implementing subsidized internet plans, enhancing digital literacy through educational programs, and developing locally relevant online content. In conclusion, addressing the digital divide in rural communities is essential for promoting inclusive growth, improving access to education and healthcare, and empowering individuals to participate fully in the digital economy. This study provides valuable insights and actionable strategies to guide efforts toward achieving these objectives and to ensure that the general populace is included in the digital age.

The moderation effect of entrepreneurship development programs on the economic and political empowerment association. Empirical evidence from post-revolution rural Tunisia

Purpose This paper aims to explore individuals’ economic empowerment and political empowerment association and the moderation role of entrepreneurship development programs on this relationship in the context of post-revolution Tunisia, which is a newer developing democracy. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a quantitative approach based on econometric modeling. A questionnaire was designed and administrated to a stratified random sample of 343 participants in the Entrepreneurship for the Participation and Inclusion of Vulnerable Youth in Tunisia program, funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund and implemented in rural northwestern Tunisia between 2017 and 2021. A coarsened exact matching method is also applied for robustness analysis. Findings The analysis shows that when individuals have enhanced economic decision-making agency and are involved in economic networks, they are more likely to demonstrate higher political empowerment. It also shows that expanding rural individuals’ economic opportunities by providing entrepreneurial resources, such as entrepreneurial training and microcredit, strengthens individuals’ economic empowerment and political empowerment association. Practical implications The study provides practical implications for policymakers in newer developing democracies. Citizens’ political empowerment and inclusion in rural areas could be promoted by developing entrepreneurship development programs, which could help reinforce the citizens-state relationship and establish more stable social contracts. The research also provides practical implications for the international development community, donor agencies and program designers through duplicating similar programs in other countries with weak central government structures (i.e. post-conflict environments, post-revolution). Originality/value The research attempts to contribute to the ongoing debates linking entrepreneurship, economic empowerment and political/citizen empowerment. It focuses on a Middle East and North Africa country, Tunisia, characterized by socioeconomic issues and low civic participation.

Exploration of Marketing Strategies of Rural Financial Institutions in the Context of Internet Finance--Bank A as an Example

As an essential component of China's financial institution system, the development and operation of rural financial institutions are of great significance to the economic development of capital financing, the improvement of the "Issues concerning agriculture, rural areas, and farmers," and the promotion of financial inclusion in rural areas and urban-rural areas of China. On this premise, based on the impact of Internet finance on rural commercial banks and the comparison between rural commercial banks and other commercial banks, this paper briefly discusses the improvement direction of marketing strategies of rural commercial banks using the traditional 4P theory as an example. In terms of products, we can learn relevant technologies from large commercial banks and actively develop products that meet customers' needs; the pricing strategies of commercial banks or financial institutions in different rural areas should be focused, and product prices can be dynamically adjusted according to the background of the general environment rather than fixed; at the same time, we should deepen offline sales channels and actively open online channels, combining online and offline media; finally, agricultural commercial banks should adhere to the principles of innovation. Finally, agribusiness banks should comply with the principles of invention, stability, and compliance and pay attention to adopting technology for risk control.

Do illiteracy and unemployment affect financial inclusion in the rural areas of developing countries?

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of illiteracy and unemployment on financial inclusion in rural areas of Nigeria between 2017 and 2022. Most rural areas in developing countries have high illiteracy and unemployment rates, creating challenges for researchers to measure the inclusiveness of financial services and products. This study examined the effect of illiteracy and unemployment on the inclusiveness of financial services and products in rural areas of Nigeria. The ex-post facto research design, systematic sampling, dummy for latent variables (erratic power supply and insecurity in rural areas), and autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) techniques were employed. The result showed that the coefficient estimate for the illiteracy rate is negative (-0.5318), indicating that higher illiteracy is associated with lower financial inclusiveness, and the coefficient estimate for unemployment rate is also negative (-2.1977) and statistically significant, suggesting that the higher unemployment rate is associated with financial inclusiveness. These findings indicate that a decline in the delivery of financial services in developing nations attest to illiteracy and unemployment. This study concluded that there is a need to improve education and employment rates in rural areas of developing countries to achieve optimal inclusiveness of financial services and products.

EFFECT OF MONETARY POLICY ON SELECTED MACROECONOMIC VARIABLES IN NIGERIAN

This study analyzed the effects of monetary policy on selected macroeconomic variables in Nigeria from 1986 to 2019. The relationship between monetary policy and macroeconomic variables in Nigeria has been a contentious issue due to inconsistent implementation and empirical findings. The study specifically evaluated the impact of monetary policy rate, cash reserve ratio, liquidity ratio, and money supply, as independent variables, on inflation and employment rate, the dependent variables. The study design was ex-post facto and utilized the Error Correction Mechanism (ECM) Model for estimation. The analysis revealed a negative and insignificant relationship between the monetary policy instruments and the selected macroeconomic variables. The conclusion was that the Central Bank of Nigeria's monetary policy adjustments have not effectively improved macroeconomic conditions in Nigeria. The study recommended increasing awareness of financial inclusion in rural areas, promoting collaboration between monetary and fiscal policy managers, and directing efforts towards enhancing the development of both the money and capital markets.
 Keywords: Monetary Policy, Macroeconomic Variables, Nigeria.

“Being Able to Be Yourself”: A Qualitative Exploration of How Queer Emerging Adults Experience a Sense of Belonging in Rural Australia

ABSTRACT Rural Australians with diverse sexualities (queer) are at higher risk of poor mental health outcomes and suicidal ideation than their heterosexual and urban peers. This is particularly the case for young people aged 18–29 years experiencing a developmental period known as emerging adulthood marked by significant volatility and change. A sense of belonging is a fundamental human need and has been found to function as a protective factor against depression and suicidality in rural, queer, and emerging adult populations. However, studies have not explored how queer emerging adults experience belongingness in rural communities. This paper presents a qualitative, exploratory study of 11 rural queer emerging adult Australians and examines their experiences of belongingness utilizing a four-factor framework of belonging—assessing competencies, opportunities, motivations, and perceptions. The results indicate that negative perceptions of inclusion in rural areas inhibit a sense of belonging from being established, by influencing the individual’s motivations to belong and the competencies they apply to belong. Lower levels of perceived social acceptance and queer visibility are two perceptions that repeatedly affect a sense of belonging. Interventions that address perceptions and competencies, and increase queer visibility in rural areas, could increase a sense of belonging for queer emerging adults in rural Australia.

Climate Change Adaptation: A Study of Digital Financial Inclusion and Consumption Among Rural Residents in China

Climate change impacts agricultural production negatively. Therefore, rural residents experience large income and consumption fluctuations when dealing with climate change risks. However, little is known about whether digital financial inclusion can help rural residents improve their ability to resist climate change. This study uses the Peking University Digital Financial Inclusion Index of China and China Household Finance Survey data, together with historical temperature data from major cities, to study the impact of digital financial inclusion on Chinese rural residents’ consumption in response to climate change. The results suggest that digital financial inclusion significantly promotes rural households’ total consumption and consumption upgrades. Heterogeneity analyses also show that digital financial inclusion predominantly affects low-income households, low-asset households, and households living in China’s central and western regions. The instrumental variable and control function methods were used for robustness, and our main conclusions are robust and reliable. Although climate change reduces rural residents’ consumption and increases their risks, digital finance inclusion significantly mitigates this negative effect. The government can increase the usage depth of digital financial inclusion in rural areas by promoting the construction of digital financial inclusion facilities. The government should strive to deepen the impact of digital financial inclusion on rural household income and consumption to further improve their ability to resist climate risks.

Mobile money for financial inclusion and saving practices: empirical evidence from Ghana

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of mobile money on savings and saving practices among individuals in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachEmploying an instrumental variable (IV) estimation technique, comprehensive data from the Financial Inclusion Insight (FII) Survey is used, implemented by InterMedia company and conducted from December 2014 to January 2015 in Ghana.Findings It is found that mobile money use generally increases savings and saving behavior among individuals in Ghana. In particular, our results show that mobile money use increases the probability of individuals saving for business startup or business expansion, child's education and emergencies. Also, for the heterogeneous effects of mobile money use on saving practices, strong evidence that the use of mobile money is more pronounced in rural areas than in urban centers is found.Originality/valueTo the best of our knowledge, no empirical study has been done on Ghana to extensively examine how mobile money affects various saving practices in Ghana as it is done in this paper. The paper highlights the need for ongoing enhancement of financial inclusion in rural areas by the government of Ghana and other stakeholders to boost savings among rural folks, while not neglecting that in urban areas. Generally, the findings for this paper support the use of mobile money as a tool for enhancing the financial inclusion agenda by policymakers in Ghana and many other countries around the world.

Rural-Urban Differentials in Levels and Correlatesof Financial Inclusion Among Nigerian Women Aged 18to 49

Globally, there is a gap in financial inclusion between men and women. Bridging this gap is imperative considering the impact of women’s financial inclusion on poverty eradication, household socioeconomic development, and attainment of related Sustainable Development Goals. Inline with the Nigerian government’s efforts at scaling up financial inclusion and bridging the gender gap, this study assessed the level of women’s financial inclusion in Nigeria. It hypothesized that correlates vary between urban and rural Nigeria. Data from 36,601 women aged 18 to 49 were extracted from the 2018 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey. The data were analyzed at univariate, bivariate, and multivariate levels. Results show the prevalence of women's financial inclusion at 20.7%, 18.5%,and 22.2% at the national, urban, and rural levels, respectively. Women without education, whose husbands also had no education, and the poor were more financially included in rural areas but least in urban areas (p< 0.05). Education, wealth, and religion were significant correlates of financial inclusion in rural areas (p< 0.05), but not in urban areas. Therefore, strategies to scale women’s financial inclusion should be cognizant of the rural-urban differentials.

A Study on Awareness of Rural Population towards Financial Services (W.R.T Banking Services)

In present days there is a lot of development in rural areas in form of Infrastructures, sanitary, Education, health and financial service like banking services. Due to development schemes, introduced by Government of India and other financial institutions helps to improve Financial Inclusion in rural areas. Financial inclusion helps the rural population to adopt innovate financial services in Banking and insurance sectors. As in this research “The “Study on Awareness of Rural Population towards Financial services” is conducted in rural areas to analyse the awareness about financial services, Factors influencing rural population, Issues encountered in receiving financial services(Banking), satisfaction of rural customers towards financial services. It is conducted by collecting quantitative data from rural population. Data is completely related to financial services of banking sector. Data is collected for research in both methods i.e.: primary data and secondary data. Samples are collected from Population through Primary data. Primary data is collected from samples of population in the form of well- structured Questionnaire. Secondary Data is collected from Reference Books, Articles, Published research papers, etc. Sample is collected by using Random sampling method. Sample size is of 50 members which are selected from rural villagers. Analysis and interpretation of data collected is done with the help of Tables & Pie Diagrams. Statistical methods and techniques like Percentage, etc are used to analyse the data.

Financial Inclusion in the Context of Sustainable Development of Rural Areas

Financial inclusion is a means to make full use of financial services, which stimulates the introduction of innovation, mobilization of savings and investment support, and thus contributes to the economic development of territories. The purpose of the study is to substantiate scientific and practical approaches to determining the role and place of financial inclusion in sustainable development of rural areas. The state of financial inclusion in rural areas has been assessed having applied the statistical-economic and calculation-constructive methods. The abstract-logical method made it possible to prove the positive impact of financial inclusion on the sustainable development of rural areas and to offer proposals for its further advancement. It has been argued that the key tasks of financial inclusion in the context of sustainable development of rural areas are financial education, access to financial services, and protection of the rights of consumers of financial services.

The Role of Financial Inclusion in Eliminating Household Poverty: Evidence from the Rural Wa West District of Ghana

It has been acclaimed that financial inclusion is one sure way of moving the poor out of poverty. In Ghana, poverty levels are particularly high in the Northern regions. In the Wa West district of the Upper West Region, the poverty incidence rate is as high as 92.4% (GSS, 2015). In this study, the researchers survey 378 households across the Wa West district to ascertain and examine the level of poverty and financial inclusion among households. Specifically, we examine the extent to which financial inclusion affects household income in the district. The study confirmed high levels of poverty and extremely low levels of financial inclusion among households in the district. The findings showed that households that had less access to financial products and services, had low levels of household income making them poor. Our findings confirm that in our sample, financial inclusion is a significant factor in determining household income and by extension, poverty levels. Secondly, using ordinary least squares (OLS) estimation adjusting for robustness, we found that access to credit and withdrawal frequency significantly affect household expenditure, a proxy for poverty. We also found very low levels of education in our sample but ironically, the households did not consider education a major intervention to improve their standard of living, rather preferring farming and livestock support. We recommend that governments and other policymakers adopt a two-pronged approach by increasing financial inclusion in rural areas whilst tackling low poverty level issues.

Role of ESAF Small Finance Bank in Leveraging Financial Services in Rural Area with Special Reference to Thiruvananthapuram District

ESAF small finance bank is a new generation bank which is headquartered at Thrissur Kerala. As a new bank it is aimed at widening financial inclusion and promoting sector wise financial assistance across India. ESAF small finance bank provides a wide variety of financial services such as deposits, funding, insurance and several beneficial programs to the society. The present paper is focused on the role of ESAF small finance bank in leveraging financial inclusion in rural areas by providing various facilities to meet their various needs. The paper is aimed at analysing various financial assistanceby ESAF small finance bank mainly for launching small business units and also the paper analaysess the relevance of various schemes of ESAF.

Ageing and Inclusion in Rural Areas.

This paper is presenting a research and development project related to areas with decreasing and ageing population. The focus of the study is on housing and the inclusion of older people in rural communities. The case study method was implemented in three shrinking municipalities in remote areas. The population loss in small ageing municipalities is affecting the number of local services as well as access to public transport. Most people 75 years old and older live in owner occupied single-family houses. The accessibility renovations of these houses for low-income older residents are challenging. Strategic long-term concepts are needed to improve the housing for older people and the urban quality of small municipal centers. Initiatives focusing on wellbeing and social cohesion are needed to enable people to remain living in rural areas in the future. Actions related to planning and services for the older population should contribute to social cohesion within the community. A dense and walkable municipal center with accessible apartments may help municipalities provide for their older populations. Future developments need to be based on resource efficiency and an intergenerational approach to keep these municipalities good places to live.