Impact of Microfinance on Women Empowerment (A Study of Environment Development Cooperative Organization Limited, Birendranagar -8, Surkhet, Nepal)

Abstract

This study “Impact of Microfinance on Women Empowerment (A Study of Environment Development Cooperative Organization, Birendranagar – 8, Surkhet, Nepal)” was carried out to find out the involvement of women in microfinance and its impacts on women empowerment. A descriptive research design with structured questionnaire was conducted. Population of study is who are associated with Environment Development Cooperative Organization Limited (EDCOL). Indicator of women empowerment are income, saving, expenditure and asset ownership level of women which reveal the women capacity after joining microfinance. Four hypotheses are developed to evaluate the effectiveness of microfinance on women empowerment for mentioned four indicators. Paired samples t test is used to know the perception of women before and after joining the microfinance program. Findings of this study reveal that microfinance is powerful tool enhancing the women empowerment through positive impact of income level, saving, expenditure and status of asset ownership on women. Microfinance program has played significant role for economic development of women. Their monthly income, as well as health, food consumption and clothing pattern, saving habits and asset ownership have gradually increased. Microfinance program has increased the women capacity by providing financial support and different training to the women that ultimate enhancing the women empowerment.