Impacts of NGO initiated micro credit program in empowering women : case study of a slum in Bhubaneswar City, Orissa, India | |
| Author | Dash, Tapaswini |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.GD-02-09 |
| Subject(s) | Microfinance--India--Orissa Women--Finance--India--Orissa Non-governmental organizations--India--Orissa |
| Note | A thesis submitted in the partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. GD-02-09 |
| Abstract | In recent years, there has been a growing realization in many nations about the importance of women's participation in the development process and the need for their advancement. As a consequence numerous national as well as international organizations have been established, which carried programs varied in nature and targeted at enabling women to become aware of their situation and potential to gain relative economic independence, together with a better position in the household as well as society. Micro-credit and micro enterprise for women has become increasingly common as a poverty alleviation intervention and empowerment of women. But at the same time it is an alarming question, whether the integrated programs run by different NGOs actually bring positive results to the poor slum dwellers in general and particularly to the women? This study was carried out with an intention to analyze the impact of micro credit on women's empowerment through SHG intervention. The study was expected to explore the space available to women and used by them in their individual capacity, as a group engaged in savings and credit, and in the larger socioeconomic environment. The research aimed at looking closely at one NGO (CYSD) that had a strong micro credit program for women. A control group/project group comparative analysis for this research had been carried out to measure the empowerment of women with randomly selected women beneficiaries and non- beneficiaries of the project area. From the study it was found that, credit disbursement through SHG with integrated approach can bring positive changes in the life of poor slum women as well as their community and larger society. It was also found that at the individual level, the women did appear to have gained very significantly in terms of mobility, self-confidence, widening of interests, access to financial services, building of own savings, competence in public affairs and status at home and in the community. The micro-credit program with integrated approach found to lead a better mobility and instilled a better awareness for enhancing women's empowerment. However there is a great need of proper training for the sustainable result in the long run. The study concluded with a recommendation to the project design to make their strategy more viable to meet the most essential need of the grassroots people. |
| Year | 2002 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. GD-02-09 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Gender and Development Studies (GD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Kusakabe, Kyoko; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Routray, J ayant Kumar;Earth, Barbara; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2002 |