EMPOWERMENT OF RURAL WOMEN THROUGH MICRO-CREDIT PROGRAMME UNDER SHAKTI FOUNDATION

Abstract

The methodology of this study is an integration of quantitative and qualitative methods based on data collected in two villages of' Daudkandi tliana under Comilla district. Eleven key indicators of empowerment covering five dimensions were chosen for this purpose. Data were collected from 100 respondents during March-April 2009 following stratified random sampling. Finally, a cumulative empowerment index (CEL) was developed adding the obtained scores of eleven empowerment indicators. Moderate empowerment took place among majority (44 percent) of the women, while high empowerment among about one fourth (25 percent) of them and very high empowerment was 13 percent. The proportion of women having low empowerment was only 22 percent. Thus the overwhelming majority (78 percent) of the rural women reported to have acquired empowerment to the extent of moderate to very high. Among the eleven variables seven namely personal education, annual family income, frequency of credit receipt from Shakti Foundation, communication media exposure, training received, credit received and credit utilization were positively significant but age was highly negative significant. On the other hand, family size, farm size and family co-operation did not show any significant relationship with empowerment. The study concludes that education, training and exposure to information media have the potential to increase women's empowerment. Theifore, effective initiatives undertaken by the concerned agencies in improving women's education, skill acquisition training and access to inlbrniation could enhance women's empowerment in order to achieve gender equality and development at all levels in the rural society of Bangladesh.