The role of microfinance on women's empowerment: learnings from selected countries using systematic review analysis /

Date

6-2024

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Economics

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Maria Luisa G. Valera

Committee Member

Gideon P. Carnaje, Maria Angeles O. Catelo

Abstract

This study investigates the role of microfinance on women’s empowerment relating to the structural, cognitive, and relational dimensions of social capital theory using systematic review analysis. Seventeen out of 203 journal articles have been considered for examination from the Scopus and JSTOR databases. Specifically, this paper aims to identify the types of microfinance providers, analyze the channels and transmission mechanisms between microfinance and women’s empowerment, and synthesize the strengths and weaknesses of different types of microfinance providers in achieving the elements of women’s empowerment. The findings demonstrate the linkages or transmission mechanism of microfinance to women’s empowerment in analyzing the dimensions of social capital. Microfinance improves women's empowerment when social capital dimensions are integrated but falls short whenever disintegrated. Self-Help Groups microfinance enables women to achieve the elements of empowerment with the effective integration of social capital dimensions. As with other economic and developmental policies however, microfinance is not an infallible policy. This study emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement and innovation in microfinance services acknowledging previous mishandling and other challenges in its implementation. Future studies can look into deeper discussions on other economic concepts like market asymmetry, moral hazards, adverse selection, and new institutional economics to facilitate a more critical understanding of microfinance and women’s empowerment.

Language

English

LC Subject

Microfinance, Social Capital

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2024 E2 V55

Notes

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Document Type

Thesis

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