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Indian Journal of Finance

ISSN: 0973-8711 Frequency: Monthly Peer Review: Double-blind Published since: 2007 Language: English
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Original Article

Open Access Original Article

Impact of Microfinance on Women Empowerment : A Study of Rural Gujarat

Ritesh Patel1,  Mitesh Patel2,  Nikunj Patel3

1 Assistant Professor, Institute of Management, Nirma University, Ahmedabad - 382 481, Gujarat

2 Assistant Professor, S.V. Institute of Management, S.V. Campus, Kadi - 382 715, Gujarat

3 Assistant Professor, Institute of Management, Nirma University, Ahmedabad – 382 481, Gujarat

Volume 12
Issue 8
Pages 22–35
Year 2018
Received: May 2, 2018 Accepted: July 18, 2018 Published: Aug. 1, 2018
Abstract

Microfinance is considered as an important financial service in many countries. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of microfinance on women empowerment. The paper aimed to judge the societal transformation through strategic interventions of microfinance in rural areas. A total of 384 women staying in rural areas of Mehsana and Navsari district were surveyed. Paired t - test was performed to analyze the situation before and after women joined SHGs for women empowerment on three contexts, that is, political, social, and economic on 12 variables. Paired t - test revealed a significant difference in women empowerment indicators before and after joining SHGs. The results of binary logistic regression revealed that with the increase in duration of membership by 1 year, the probability of empowering women on grounds of economic, social, and political empowerment increased by 9%, 14%, and 11%, respectively. The study can be used to empower women on the grounds of political, social, and economic conditions. The successful implementation of microfinance could lead to societal transformation in rural areas, especially for a country like India. It was suggested that the government and non-government organizations (NGOs) can work on microfinance services to empower women.

Keywords microfinance self-help groups societal transformation rural area women empowerment
How to Cite

Ritesh Patel, Mitesh Patel, Nikunj Patel (2018). Impact of Microfinance on Women Empowerment : A Study of Rural Gujarat. Indian Journal of Finance, 12(8), 22–35. https://doi.org/10.17010/ijf/2018/v12i8/130742

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