|
" Effect of Microfinance Banks on Women Empowerment: Evidence from Kwara State, Nigeria "
Kamaluddeen, Hauwa Kemi
Odedokun, Mathew
| Document Type
|
:
|
Latin Dissertation
|
| Language of Document
|
:
|
English
|
| Record Number
|
:
|
1052714
|
| Doc. No
|
:
|
TL51831
|
| Main Entry
|
:
|
Kamaluddeen, Hauwa Kemi
|
| Title & Author
|
:
|
Effect of Microfinance Banks on Women Empowerment: Evidence from Kwara State, Nigeria\ Kamaluddeen, Hauwa KemiOdedokun, Mathew
|
| College
|
:
|
Kwara State University (Nigeria)
|
| Date
|
:
|
2019
|
| Degree
|
:
|
Ph.D.
|
| student score
|
:
|
2019
|
| Note
|
:
|
210 p.
|
| Abstract
|
:
|
Women empowerment is one of the key global issues hotly debated in the context of development with various tools and strategies proposed to ameliorate the situation. One of these strategies is financial inclusion through microfinance which has emerged as one of the instruments to expand women‟s access and control over economic assets. However, despite the generally applauded positive impacts of microfinance on women empowerment, there has been conflicting results in the literature. This suggests that more studies need to be carried out to provide valuable insights into the ongoing debate so as to ascertain the true impact of microfinance on women empowerment. The aim of the study is to assess the impact of microfinance banks in empowering women in Kwara State. The specific objectives are to (i) determine the effect of microfinance banks‟ (MFBs) services on women's economic empowerment; (ii) investigate if economic empowerment has an effect on other dimensions of empowerment; and (iii) ascertain if participation in MFBs has a direct influence on other dimensions of empowerment without going through economic empowerment. The study is anchored on the Financial Self-Sustainability paradigm and the Multidimensional Framework of women empowerment. This empirical investigation employed quantitative data, which were analysed with descriptive and econometric techniques using STATA and SPSS. Using Taro Yamane sample size determination formula, a sample size of 400 was obtained through cluster random sampling to gather data through a structured, closed ended, pre-coded and pilot-tested questionnaire. Ordered logit regression was employed as the estimation technique given the categorical nature of the data gathered. The findings of the study are that (i) MFBs services have a positive and robust effect on women‟s economic empowerment; (ii) economic empowerment has a positive and preponderant effect on other dimensions of empowerment; (iii) participation in MFBs, on a balance of probabilities, has a direct influence on other dimensions of empowerment; (iv) the effect of MFBs services on economic empowerment occurs majorly through income and financial decision making ability; (v) four of the six MFBs variables - loan, savings, length of banking and training facilities - significantly affect income; (vi) the indirect effect of MFBs works majorly through contribution to household expenditure, followed by income and financial decision making ability; (vii) the empowerment dimensions affected most by economic empowerment are socio-cultural and psychological empowerment. The study concludes that MFBs greatly impact on economic empowerment and other dimensions of empowerment, both directly and indirectly. Hence, financial inclusion can be regarded as making significant contribution to women empowerment through the microfinance banking sub-sector and therefore, becomes an important national objective for promoting women empowerment. Recommendations are provided in the areas of policy and further research. This will assist policy makers, practitioners and other stakeholders in designing and implementing effective development strategies, schemes and policies for women empowerment and financial inclusion. This research will also assist future researchers to uncover critical areas and variables as regards financial inclusion and women empowerment and present an avenue for further research on the direct and indirect effects of MFBs on multidimensional women empowerment.
|
| Descriptor
|
:
|
African studies
|
|
|
:
|
Economics
|
|
|
:
|
Womens studies
|
| Added Entry
|
:
|
Odedokun, Mathew
|
| Added Entry
|
:
|
Kwara State University (Nigeria)
|
| |