IMPACT OF GRAMEEN BANK MICRO CREDIT PROGRAM ON POVERTY ALLEVIATION OF RURAL WOMEN

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to determine and describe the impact of Gramccn Dank micro credit program on poverty alleviation of rural women and to explore the relationship between the selected characteristics and impact of micro credit of Grameen Bank. Poverty alleviation was measured by computing the different dimensions of change, such as change in income, change in food consumption and change in housing environment of the credit receivers after their involvement in Gramccn Bank micro credit program. The average annual income, per capita daily caloric intake, housing environment score of the respondents increased at 2.348 thousand taka, 191.883 kilo calories and 6.02 respectively after involvement with Grameen Bank micro credit program. Before involvement 89 per cent of the respondents had Katcha Ghar with tin roof, after involvement the percentage was 93. Thirty eight per cent of the respondents used half sanitary toilet before involvement where aflcr involvement this percentage turned into 55 per cent. Before involvement with Gramecn Bank micro-credit program 9 per cent of the respondents' farniJies had own tube well but after program this percentage was 19. The farm size, annual savings, cosmopolitcncss, credit received and duration of involvement with Grameen Bank micro credit program had significant relationship with the impact of micro-credit. Ilowever, age, education, family size of the respondents and attitude towards Grameen Bank micro credit program did not show any significant relationship with the impact of Gramccn Bank micro credit. The inadequate supply or credit facilities against their demand identified as respondents' main problem.