Assessing the Impact of Microcredit Empowerment on the Extremely Poor Women of Bangladesh: The Case of Grameen Bank

Mohammad Bashir Mia Khadem

Abstract

A micro-credit program has created an epic-making story all over the world, including Bangladesh. The study is based on whether the microcredit program empowers extremely poor women in rural Bangladesh and whether it works in the context of empowerment. For this, the study aimed to assess how micro-credit heterogeneity adversely affects rural poor women in Bangladesh. It further attempts to answer by examining the role of microfinance (the Grameen Bank) in Bangladesh and whether it has led to women's empowerment. The study measured the impact of GB microfinance on extremely poor women by in-depth interviews with ten selected women. Findings showed that Microfinance helped the family earn more money. When the issue of weekly installments came up, participants managed to repay them through their investment, another source of income from their family. Consequently, their income was increased, and they benefited and were ultimately empowered. On the other hand, some participants negatively affected them in terms of repayment, decision-making, and income.

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