Year of Award
2008
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
Master of Arts (MA)
Degree Name
Economics
Department or School/College
Department of Economics
Committee Chair
Jeff Bookwalter
Commitee Members
Doug Dalenberg, Ramona Grey
Keywords
Bangladesh, gender empowerment, microfinance
Publisher
University of Montana
Abstract
Gender empowerment is an oft-cited result of microfinance participation. However, research to verify this outcome continues to produce ambivalent results implying that microfinance programs are not maximizing their potential impact. While gender empowerment may be a desirable end to development, it is less often used as a means to achieve development goals. This paper tests the hypothesis that gender empowerment improves microfinance program performance using data from the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) and a theoretical framework based on prevalent institutional ideologies. The results show that empowered clients have a higher likelihood of attaining desirable program outcomes. These results can be taken as evidence that microfinance organizations should consider investments in support programs to directly address social impediments to gender empowerment as a way to increase their overall effectiveness.
Recommended Citation
Cook, Taylor Michelle, "UNTAPPED RESOURCES: HOW UNDERDEVELOPED GENDER EMPOWERMENT CONSTRAINS THE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL IN BANGLADESH" (2008). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 1151.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/1151
© Copyright 2008 Taylor Michelle Cook