WOMEN EMPOWERMENT THROUGH MICROFINANCE IN SOME SELECTED AREAS OF BOGURA DISTRICT IN BANGLADESH

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to describe the selected characteristics of the women; to determine the level of empowerment of women through microfinance. The study was conducted in Shibganj upazilla under Bogura District. Data were collected by using interview schedule from the randomly selected 80 respondents during 1 November to 30 th December, 2019. Multiple regression model was used in the study. The higher proportion 52.5 percent of the women had medium empowerment; while 26.25 percent of the women had low empowerment and 21.25 percent of the women had high empowerment through microfinance program. Among selected characteristics of the respondent’s viz. number of loan-taking purposes, age, education, annual family income, credit received and decision-making ability of the respondents had significant positive contribution with their empowerment. Loan repayment period was very short and was the 1 st problem followed by high rate of interest and lack of intention to serve in the apparently inaccessibly location was the last problem. So, the policy makers should consider these important factors to increase women empowerments. st