Microfinance and Women Empowerment: Self Perception of Beneficiaries – A Study with reference to Gandhinagar district of Gujarat

Madhavi Kodamarty

Volume : V, Issue : I, January - 2016

Microfinance and Women Empowerment: Self Perception of Beneficiaries – A Study with reference to Gandhinagar district of Gujarat

Madhavi Kodamarty

Abstract :

Growth with Equity is the key to development for any nation. The structure of the society determines the role of women with in the household and the society. Women have always been disadvantaged with respect to access to credit and other financial services. Out of the world�s total population under poverty, 70% are women. The formal financial system focuses on men, neglecting women who form a large part of informal economy. Microfinance activity across the world target women clients as they are considered to be more reliable. The objective of this study is to investigate the self–perception of empowerment of the microfinance member beneficiaries. Non Probability Convenience sampling were applied to take a sample of 109 members if microfinance programme in the Gandhinagar district of Gujarat. Descriptive analysis and factor analysis are used as the tools to achieve the objective. Factor analysis found three dimensions of perception of empowerment such as personal empowerment, economic empowerment and social empowerment.