A Study on Microfinance and Women Empowerment in Tuticorin District

Abstract

Microfinance programs for women are increasingly seen by the development agencies as aneffective anti-poverty intervention, financial inclusion and women empowerment tool with a positiveimpact on economic growth of a nation. High repayment rates are interpreted to mean that women are using loans for productive purpose, and use it for personal benefit. A trade-off between creditextension and recovery interprets that everything is fine with MFIs. It is widely assumed that there isa clear and direct relationship between access to credit and an increase in the status of womenwithin their households and communities. The provision of adequate doses of micro finance in timeto the women folk for their personal, familial and business purposes by a dependable agency wouldnaturally generate confidence and zealamong them for the performance of their activities. Microfinance intervention (Constructed) which includes self help group savings, loan, business activities and training; and women empowerment (Levelof Empowerment) like social, economic, political, personal and family empowerment are the two variables which are taken in to account forthis study.