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How microfinance empowers women in Côte d’Ivoire

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  • Namizata Binaté Fofana
  • Gerrit Antonides
  • Anke Niehof
  • Johan Ophem

Abstract

This study deals with the effect of microcredit on women’s livelihood and empowerment in rural areas of Côte d’Ivoire. A cross-section survey was conducted among 185 borrowers from two microfinance institutions and 209 non-borrowers in rural areas of Côte d’Ivoire. In addition, a focus group discussion was held with each of the two women groups. After matching the two groups on the probability of obtaining credit, we found that the microcredit group on average had a higher income and a higher value of household assets than the non-borrowers. No differences in the value of personal women’s assets were found. Furthermore, on one hand women’s decision-making power in the household, as indicated by their strategic gender needs, was positively related to the probability of obtaining microcredit. On the other hand receiving microcredit tended to increase their decision-making power. Copyright The Author(s) 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Namizata Binaté Fofana & Gerrit Antonides & Anke Niehof & Johan Ophem, 2015. "How microfinance empowers women in Côte d’Ivoire," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 13(4), pages 1023-1041, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:reveho:v:13:y:2015:i:4:p:1023-1041
    DOI: 10.1007/s11150-015-9280-2
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    2. Sayed Samer Ali Al-shami & R. M. Razali & Nurulizwa Rashid, 2018. "The Effect of Microcredit on Women Empowerment in Welfare and Decisions Making in Malaysia," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 137(3), pages 1073-1090, June.
    3. Anke, Niehof, 2016. "Food And Nutrition Security As Gendered Social Practice," APSTRACT: Applied Studies in Agribusiness and Commerce, AGRIMBA, vol. 10(2-3), pages 1-8, October.
    4. Shagufta Tariq Khan & Mohd Abass Bhat & Mohi-Ud-Din Sangmi, 2023. "Impact of Microfinance on Economic, Social, Political and Psychological Empowerment: Evidence from Women’s Self-help Groups in Kashmir Valley, India," FIIB Business Review, , vol. 12(1), pages 58-73, March.
    5. Samer Ali Al-shami & Abdullah Al Mamun & Nurulizwa Rashid & Mohammed Al-shami, 2021. "Microcredit Impact on Socio-Economic Development and Women Empowerment in Low-Income Countries: Evidence from Yemen," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-18, August.
    6. Fred van Raaij, W. & Antonides, Gerrit & Manon de Groot, I., 2020. "The benefits of joint and separate financial management of couples," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    7. Mesbahuddin Ahmed & Anu Muhammad Anisur Rahman & Most Nilufa Khatun, 2020. "Empowerment of the Extreme Poor Women through Microfinance: Evidence from Northern Part of Bangladesh," Journal of Contemporary Research in Social Sciences, Michael Laurence, vol. 2(4), pages 68-80.

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