Détails de la publication

MICROFINANCE AND WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT IN THE LITTORAL DEPARTMENT OF SOUTHERN BENIN

Détails de la publication

• Type:Article
• Domaine: Economie et Sociologie rurale
• Année de publication: 2017
• Auteurs: ACACHA H., DJINADOU A.
• Cultures: microfinance
• Couverture géographique: Sud-Bénin
• Mots clés: autonomy, capability; gender, microcredit; power; Republic of Benin

Résumé de la publication

Women are most vulnerable because they don't have access to resources needed to participate in economic activity and to decision making. Since the year 2000, the Beninese government has been granting microcredits to women in order to improve their empowerment. This study aims to find out whether these microloans have contributed to their decision-making capacity. The work was based on the theory of empowerment based on its principles and framework of knowledge organization for decision-making. The methodology is cross-sectional with a closed-ended inquiry. Random sampling involved 221 women beneficiaries in Cotonou. The analytical tools focused on descriptive statistics and on the calculation of the Women's Empowerment Index for decision-making. A Tobit regression with explanatory variables of empowerment was used to identify factors determining the empowerment of the women. Results showed that the Women's Empowerment Index improved after obtaining credit, from 2.5 to 3 for food expenditures. The significant determinants of women's decision-making were married status, increased income, and trade as main activity. The recommendation is that adequate training be given to women to whom credits are granted. The themes of these trainings should focus on the efficient management of credits as well as the empowerment of decision-making in socioeconomic life.