The social impact of microcredit programs : rural women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh
Chowdhury, Shiren (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025060118933
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025060118933
Tiivistelmä
The thesis explored the social impact of microcredit programs on rural women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh. It focused on how small loans help to improve their economic status and social roles. The main objectives were to assess how microcredit program impact the rural women entrepreneurs developing their empowerment, family decision-making and participation in community.
The theoretical framework emphasizes on some related theories like Empowerment Theory, Social Capital Theory, Human Capital Theory and others. These theories help to explain how access to financial resources can improve the rural women’s confidence, skills and leadership.
The research follows a qualitative method with an interpretivist approach and thematic analysis. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews from five rural women entrepreneurs and one NGO staff from ASA which is a leading microfinance institution in Bangladesh.
The findings show that microcredit enables the rural women to start or grow small businesses, gain confidence, support their families and take part in social and community activities. However, some challenges remain like loan repayment pressure, lack of business training and social resistance. The study concludes that microcredit brings positive changes to rural women’s lives but recommends more flexible loan terms, financial education or training and stronger support systems for long-term success.
The theoretical framework emphasizes on some related theories like Empowerment Theory, Social Capital Theory, Human Capital Theory and others. These theories help to explain how access to financial resources can improve the rural women’s confidence, skills and leadership.
The research follows a qualitative method with an interpretivist approach and thematic analysis. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews from five rural women entrepreneurs and one NGO staff from ASA which is a leading microfinance institution in Bangladesh.
The findings show that microcredit enables the rural women to start or grow small businesses, gain confidence, support their families and take part in social and community activities. However, some challenges remain like loan repayment pressure, lack of business training and social resistance. The study concludes that microcredit brings positive changes to rural women’s lives but recommends more flexible loan terms, financial education or training and stronger support systems for long-term success.