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Microfinance And Economic Empowerment Of Women
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1.1.2 GENDER DIFFERENCE
This is a distinction of
biological and/or physiological characteristics typically associated
with either males or females of a species in general. In the study of
humans, socio-political issues arise in classifying whether a sex
difference results from the biology of gender. This article focuses on
quantitative differences which are based on a gradient and involve
different averages. For example, men are taller than women on average,
but an individual woman may be taller than an individual man.
INTERGENERA TIONAL GENDER GAPS
The
differences in the work patterns of men and women, and the
'invisibility' of work that is not included in national accounts, lead
to lower entitlements to women than to men. Women's lower access to
resources and the lack of attention to gender in macroeconomic policy
adds to the inequity, which, in turn, perpetuates gender gaps. For
example, when girls reach adolescence they are typically expected to
spend more time in household activities, while boys spend more time on
farm or wage work. By the time girls and boys become adults, females
generally work longer hours than males, have less experience in the
labour force, earn less income and have less leisure, recreation or rest
time.
This has implications for investments in the next generation.
If parents view daughters as less likely to take paid work or earn
market wages, they may be less inclined to invest in their education,
women's fastest route out of poverty.
WOMEN AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
Pioneering
microfinance institutions (MFls) have already recognized that the twin
goals of empowering women and developing poor communities are closely
connected. The Nobel Prize-winning Grameen Bank, for example, gives
around 96 percent of its micro-loans to women, while the UN estimates
that around 76 percent of all microfinance clients globally are women.
"There
are two different ways to look at this: one is that microfinance is
good for women; the other is that women are good for microfinance," says
Susy Cheston of Opportunity International, a US-based organization that
gives around 86 percent of its micro-credit loans to women. "There are
lots of different reasons that people lend to women. For some, it's
about having customers that are very credit-worthy and bring better
value to the institution
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AS DEVELOPMENT VEHICLE
Wise
business or household investments can increase a woman's status in
communities where women otherwise seldom assume the role of owner,
employer or decision-maker. Financial empowerment has, in many cases,
helped women acquire more self-esteem, more respect within their
families, and has even linked to decreases in domestic violence.
Empowered women also have a positive impact on their communities, and
are considered to be more responsive to the long-term needs of their
households than men.
WOMEN'S WORK AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
In
subsistence economies, women spend much of the day performing tasks to
maintain the household, such as carrying water and collecting fuel wood.
In many countries women are also responsible for agricultural
production and market work. Often they take on paid work or
entrepreneurial enterprises as well. Unpaid domestic work - from food
preparation to caregiving - directly affects the health and overall
wellbeing and quality of life of children and other household members.
The need for women's unpaid labour often increases with economic shocks,
such as those associated with the HIV/AIDS pandemic or economic
restructuring. Yet women's voices and lived experiences - whether as
workers (paid and unpaid), citizens, or consumers ¬are still largely
missing from debates on finance and development. Poor women do more
unpaid work, work longer hours and may accept degrading working
conditions during times of crisis, just to ensure that their families
survive.
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]This study examines the impact of microfinance on economic, financial and social empowerment of women micro entrepreneurs in Ikeja, Lagos State. A sample of 50 women micro entrepreneurs were selected in Ikeja some of which include traders, hairdressers, fashion designers, fish farmers and boutique owners. Survey method was employed to obtain a picture of the population. Research data was collected using a 24 item questionnaire in order to measure the empowerment of women micro entrepreneurs and ... Continue reading---
