Socioeconomic Conditions of Women Engaged with Microcredit Programs

This study aimed to assess the socioeconomic aspects of rural women engaged with one more microcredit program of Chirirbandar upazila under Dinajpur district of Bangladesh. Following the survey research design, a random sampling technique was adopted to collect primary data from 200 respondents through face-to-face interviews from September to October 2019. It was observed from the study that the year of schooling (p=.001), earning member of the family (p=.002), and number of children (p=.000) had a significant association with their involvement with one more microcredit organization. A significant difference between the household's income sources was found in the respondents' before and after involvement with MCO. The paired sample t-test revealed that on average household income and expenditure of the rural women after involvement was more than their previous involvement with MCOs and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.001) with small d=0.41 & 0.42 respectively. Both provisions on training on health issues and mental pressure after taking credit went with the respondent’s marital status (p<0.001). Business was the highest beneficiary sector of the respondents after their involvement with MCOs. Personal health and hygiene (p=0.026), housing condition (p=0.021), and social security (p=0.005) were the strongest predictors of empowerment for rural women. For more advancement of the rural poor women, joint intervention regarding the credit program between the government and Non-Government Organizations can be solicited.

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