Department of Economics and Management Sciences, Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
Research Article
Unveiling the Paradox: A Study of Women\'s Empowerment through Microfinance in Gurugram District and Policy Perspectives
Author(s): Ritika Madan* and Monika Goel
Microfinance schemes aim to empower women, but their impact is debated. While some studies show positive outcomes, others find negatives or neutrals. Research often quantifies empowerment through outcome-based metrics, like access to credit, yielding positive results. However, viewing empowerment as a process, such as credit usage and repayment, reveals contradictions. For instance, increased income may not always signify empowerment if women lose control over loans or bear sole responsibility for repayment. Our study, based on 2022-23 data from Gurugram, stresses the need to consider both outcomes and processes in assessing empowerment. Analysing data from 300 women households in Gurugram, we find that the impact of microfinance on women's empowerment remains contentious despite its role in household crises management. Comparing 150 microcredit participants with 150 non-participa.. Read More»
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