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Role of Microfinance in Economic Empowerment of Women in Lahore, Pakistan: A Study of Akhuwat Supported Women Clients

Author

Listed:
  • Imrab Shaheen

    (Department of Public Administration, University of Kotli Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan)

  • Iftikhar Hussain

    (Department of Public Administration and Director Advanced Studies and Research at University of Kotli Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan,)

  • Ghulam Mujtaba

    (Department of Business Administration, University of Kotli Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan.)

Abstract

Economic empowerment include, women decision making at different levels; women participation in economic and social matters, women's access and control over resources, access to options, access to have health and education facilities, control and choice to use resources, options to make life choices. Microfinance has been seen instrumental in economic empowerment of women. The study focused on the impact assessment of microfinance on economic empowerment of women in Lahore, Pakistan. A disproportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to draw a sample of 175 respondents/female clients of Akhuwat foundation from Lahore city. Data were collected through questionnaire containing five point Likert scale. Some exemplary cases have also been added in order to observe and understand the phenomenal success of poor women. Data were analyzed through Linear regression performed on SPSS.v.20. It has been found that microfinance has a considerable impact on economic empowerment of women. The research reveals that women empowerment is linked with social intermediation/guidance and enterprises development which seems to have a lasting impact in achieving financial independence. Findings also confirm that micro-finance may serve as a catalyst towards economic empowerment.

Suggested Citation

  • Imrab Shaheen & Iftikhar Hussain & Ghulam Mujtaba, 2018. "Role of Microfinance in Economic Empowerment of Women in Lahore, Pakistan: A Study of Akhuwat Supported Women Clients," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 8(2), pages 337-343.
    • Handle: RePEc:eco:journ1:2018-02-41
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

    1. Waqas Umar Latif & Sana Ullah & Wasim Ahmed & Muhammad Umar Sultan & Rana Muhammad Sohail Jafar & Muhammad Tariq & Wang Linping, 2020. "Microcredit and Economic Welfare: Experience of Poor Rural Households from Pakistan," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(6), pages 976-997, August.
    2. Rolando Gonzales Martínez & Gabriela Aguilera‐Lizarazu & Andrea Rojas‐Hosse & Patricia Aranda Blanco, 2020. "The interaction effect of gender and ethnicity in loan approval: A Bayesian estimation with data from a laboratory field experiment," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(3), pages 726-749, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Microfinance; Economic Empowerment; Social intermediation; Akhuwat Foundation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages

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