Microfinance and Empowering Rural Women in the Terai, Uttarakhand, India
Tripathi, V. M.; Mohan, A.
International Journal of Agricultural and Statistical Sciences 12(2): 523-530
2016
ISSN/ISBN: 0973-1903 Document Number: 197841
Microfinance is one of the tools that is used to provide and promote social and economic independence to the poor, landless, disadvantaged and marginalized rural folk. It is widely recognized as a tool for poverty alleviation, empowerment and development for needy men and women. The role of micro financing is also extremely crucial in bringing gender equality in the society and alleviating the status of women, particularly in the rural areas. This research attempts to understand the socio-economic profile of female microfinance beneficiaries in the Terai region and explore the different dimensions of their empowerment. The findings are based on the data collected from 125 beneficiaries in the Terai region of Uttarakhand, India. A well structured questionnaire was prepared based on detailed literature review and was used for collecting the primary data. 29 variables covering various facets of women beneficiaries' life have been compiled and Likert scale is used for analysis. The different dimensions of empowerment identified using factor analysis for women folk are standard of living, improvement in expansion activities, decision autonomy, health and hygiene, social upliftment, financial upliftment and self sufficiency. ANOVA has been used to understand the variance of these factors on the activity pursued by the beneficiaries. Further, using the regression tool the impact of different dimensions of empowerment on advancement in expansion activities is studied.