EFFECTS OF MICROCREDIT ON EMPOWERMNET OF WOMEN IN

SELECTED MERGED AREA OF KHYBERPUKHTONKHWA, PAKISTAN

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 Table of Contents

Table of Contents............................................................................................................2
SECTION-I.....................................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................3
1.1 Background of the Study.......................................................................................3
1.2 Microcredit and Women Empowerment...............................................................5
1.3 Problem statement.................................................................................................6
1.4 Significance of the Study......................................................................................7
1.5 Objectives of the study..........................................................................................9
1.6 Hypotheses of the study........................................................................................9
SECTION II..................................................................................................................10
LITERATURE REVIEW.............................................................................................10
2.1 Introduction.........................................................................................................10
2.2 Women Empowerment........................................................................................10
2.3 Conclusion...........................................................................................................17
SECTION III METHODOLOGY................................................................................18
3.1 Introduction.........................................................................................................18
3.2 Study Area and Sampled Data.............................................................................18
3.3 Population of the Study.......................................................................................18
3.3.1 Primary Data................................................................................................19
3.3.2 Secondary Data............................................................................................19
3.3.3 Questionnaire Design...................................................................................20
3.3.4 Pre-Testing...................................................................................................20
3.3.5 Sample Size...................................................................................................21
3.4 Theoretical framework........................................................................................22
3.4.1 Empowerment;..............................................................................................22
3.4.2 Economic Empowerment:.............................................................................23
3.4.3 Social and Political Empowerment:.............................................................24
3.4.4. Familial Empowerment;..............................................................................25
3.4.5 Personal Empowerment:..............................................................................26
3.5 Measurement of Microfinance in Different Levels.............................................27
3.5.1 Household Level...........................................................................................27
3.5.2 Individual Level............................................................................................27
3.5.3 Regional Level..............................................................................................28
References.....................................................................................................................29

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 SECTION-I

INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
That process through which an individual gains powers and tries to secure
his/her rights in society, so that he may get control over his life, is called
empowerment. The process of empowerment includes the security of one’s welfare,
improving of one’s self-confidence level, ensuring dignity of an individual, retaining
the social status of an individual, the power of decision making, the right to deal with
his business, the right to get control over his benefits, and the power of living his life
according to his own will and choice. Therefore, to ensure the empowerment of
individuals, Micro-Finance programs are introduced from time to time. However,
inequality and discrimination has narrowed the rut for women empowerment. All
across the world, 3/5 i.e. 60% are women clients for Micro-fiancé institutions. Due to
three reasons, they are given priority to avail micro-finance. Initially, to alleviate
poverty, second, to empower women and finally, to increase efficiency and
sustainability.

Empowerment involves development in social and physical situations, along with

decision making ability and power over resources and system for nourishing these
benefits (Naz & Ashraf, 2020). Similarly, Nelly (2011) has stated that empowerment
of women means evolution of mindset and psychology so that they could act to bring
about change in the society for their better living against the prevailing conditions
which they have to face. Empowerment provides an opportunity to stimulate the
capacity of individuals for utilizing one’s natural talents and bestows autonomy to live
self-sufficiently according to his/her own choice.

Nonetheless, prospects of access differ between men and women in different

countries and regions according to their cultures and norms all across the world.
However, this paradox is immensely evident in underprivileged and under-developed
countries. Although the role of women can’t be overlooked with respect to the
prosperity of nation and family; as they are equally responsible to provide stability to
the family and to partake in the progress of the country. Hence, it is pertinent for
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Governments to ensure the equal rights of women, provide equal privileges and to
empower them in all walks of life as compared to their male counterparts. But,
unluckily the actual scenario in underdeveloped countries is different from the ground
realities; and intrinsic mechanism gigantically prohibits women to participate in
decision making process and to ensure their innate rights (Rehman, 2007). Such
circumstance exposes women to greater risks and preventing them to access the
sources of income and employment. Similarly, women are not allowed to freely avail
the sources of livelihood, while living in the male dominant society specifically in
under-developed countries. Thus, such prejudices engender wide chasm of inequality
between men and women, and it enforces women to lag behind in their social and
cultural lives as compared to their male counterparts. In addition to this, there are
some other factors which play vital role in the violence against women including
illiteracy, early marriage trends, economic barriers and familial aggression that
impedes to women in securing advancement in the society (Rehman, 2007). All such
upshots are not because of the established norms and cultures but due to the
established partial and polar economic system which needs equability and mediation
to level the financial system all across the world and to empower women at parity to
the their male counterparts. Although, women maintain all the family unit and matters,
yet they are not financially independent and have to depend on their male members to
cope with their essential needs; that are why, women don’t have equal standing
position with their male counterparts in many respects (Rehman, 2007).

According to Hussain and Jullandhry (2020) women often lack resources for
investment; resultantly, they have to look for some sort of micro-financing source to
ensure their well-regarded livelihood. That’s why, Government of different countries
introduces micro-finance programs for the financial empowerment of women and
multiple polices are established. However, such policies have not added to the
financial welfare of women on tenacious basis (Mehmood, 2002). It has been observed
the lower class have no access to avail these lucrative monetary offers as well (Al-
Shami, et al 2021). Although, the essential purpose of micro-financing to alleviate the
poverty, yet underprivileged people can’t avail these offers, for they lack the initial
deposits (Asad et al., 2020) and such miserable condition further aggravates the

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condition of the poverty stricken masses. To level all such upheavals, Micro-financing
or Microcredits programs have charming role to alleviate poverty and to empower
women all across the world.

1.2 Microcredit and Women Empowerment

The meaning of empowerment varies in different socio-economic perspectives. It
specifies self-power, independence, self-determination, awareness of one's rights and a
life of one's own choice for women. Empowerment has different meanings and is
significant at all levels, whether personal or community level. Empowerment
engenders the capacity in women to face male subordination at the household level. It
perceives confidence in people who belongs to any walks of life. Economic
strengthening decreases in indebtedness, and brings positive change in savings and
income (Malik, 2020).

According to Asad et al. (2020) the empowerment of women means evolution of

mindset and psychology so that they could act to bring about change in the society for
their better living against the prevailing conditions which they have to face.
Empowerment provides an opportunity to stimulate the capacity of individuals for
utilizing one’s natural talents and bestows autonomy to live self-sufficiently according
to his/her own choice. Women's empowerment requires conscious effort.

Women-empowerment is still a problematic area in most of the developing

countries including Pakistan. The women contribution is limited and not well
acknowledged in most of the developing countries such as Pakistan. As the women
contribution to Pakistani economy is only 25-30% which is quite low as compared to
most of the developing as well as developed countries. Microcredit not only enables
poor women to earn income but also contributes to empower them. When women start
earning income, their dependency on male household members reduced. This
psychologically boosts their self-esteem and confidence. Moreover, they become more
active in household decision making, have greater social networks and greater freedom
of mobility (Wagle, 2019).

It is the process of building women's agency for, not only being independent but
able to make decisions, gaining greater bargaining power, assert one's choices,
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executing their rights - all for the collective progress of the society towards a more
gender egalitarian development process. Thus, women living with own desire, having
self-esteem and confidence are considered to be the empowerment of women. It
carries several significant meanings; no matter it is of personal or community level.
Obviously, having control over one’s own decisions is everyone’s basic right, hence,
higher the independence in making decisions, more empowered would be a person
(Razzaq et al., 2019).

It can be accomplished through eliminating discrimination against women,

changing social structures that do not support women, and implementing regulations to
provide equal rights for all (Hussain et al., 2019). This is a costly structural change
that allows women to participate in economic activity in the economy and contribute
to the collective well-being of their communities. Social empowerment increases the
level of education and public awareness of women. Women will be considered
empowered only when they start living their lives of their own volition with dignity,
self-confidence and respect. Micro-Financing has brought about positive impacts in
the society to encourage women in all walks of life. Hence, it can be said that micro-
financing is an essential system for the empowerment of women and poverty
alleviation. Micro-Financing is system of economic services that provides financial
assistance for small business.

In nutshell, Microcredit or Micro-financing is capable to empower women who

can then pave the way for social and economic development. Since the introduction of
microcredit, in many countries microcredit programs have been increasing their
activities to lessen the poverty and to empower women (Asim, 2008).

1.3 Problem statement

Women-empowerment is still a problematic area in most of the developing
countries including Pakistan. The women contribution is limited and not well
acknowledged in most of the developing countries such as Pakistan. As the women
contribution to Pakistani economy is only 25-30% which is quite low as compared to
most of the developing as well as developed countries (Qzai et al., 2019). Pakistan is a
developing nation with the vast majority of its citizens living in rural areas. Different

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micro-credit institutions in Pakistan are working for the welfare of women
empowerment such as the National Rural Support Program (NRSP), Punjab Rural
Support Program (PRSP), Sarhad Rural Support Program (SRSP), and Agha Khan
Rural Support Program (AKRSP). Women are given loans to help them to establish
their own small-scale businesses and give them a solid foundation. In Pakistan, where
a problem brought on by the underdevelopment of women has slowed the country's
economic progress, microfinance is urgently needed (Khan et al. 2011).

Women are seen as a symbol of respect in the traditionally conservative and

patriarchal society of Pakistan, particularly in the province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
(Rehman, 2007). Women's behaviour is primarily a matter of respect for men. The
main goal is to demonstrate this respect by keeping them within the boundaries of their
homes (Maria, 2003). When women adhere to severe purdah, have restrained mobility,
and accept without question whatever fate the males select for them, the truth is
evident. Women and men experience disparity in the areas of service, decision-
making, health, work, investing, and education. Women's responsibilities and status in
traditional societies restrict their freedom of movement and their access to financial
resources (Maria, 2003).

In addition to this, the newly merged areas are highly conservative with respect to
their women and modesty; however, the recent holocaust of terrorism has also badly
affected the tribal areas and it has accelerated the poverty as well, therefore, it is a
matter of greater concern that how the social norms and psychology for these areas can
be changed and how poverty can be alleviated on grass rout level to empower women
so that they can partake in social and economic progress of their families and in turn
of the state. Therefore, the current research study will work on the role of the Micro-
financing institutions performance regarding the newly merged areas of KP.

1.4 Significance of the Study

Males have always subjugated girls since they are physically stronger and more
belligerent, irrespective of the society or situation and specifically in the merged areas
of KP due to its old-fashioned tradition and norms. Therefore, the research topic
selected by the researcher is not only complex and intricate, but also incredibly unique

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and ground-breaking because no such research on females of merged area/tribal areas
who belonged to the province of KP, has ever been done in Pakistan with such depth
and intricacy. However, the main focus of the current study is the women who are
living in the merged areas of KP where there is extreme restriction and lack of literacy
in addition to the lack of awareness programs regarding the Micro-Credit or Micro-
financing programs. It was especially crucial to pinpoint specific characteristics of
women's empowerment in merged areas of KP because Pakistan lacks scientific
evidence regarding gender inequality and poverty alleviation. There are other
additional factors that support the study's importance in addition to this. First and
foremost, the exploration of many facets of women's empowerment seeks to highlight
the connection between microfinance and women's empowerment among KP
population specifically in the merged areas of KP.

The current study attempts to quantify the impact of the family approach to the
household, women's empowerment, and the status of the women within the household
because it is carried out in an Islamic nation and particularly in newly merged areas of
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that are quite conservative. In an effort to better understand the
issues facing this underprivileged sector of society, this study will highlight some of
the facts and figures of women empowerment in a few newly merged areas of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa Province. The study focuses on how women customers who took out
loans from microcredit firms perceived and how microcredit affected women's self-
confidence in terms of their purchasing power, freedom of movement, participation in
family discussions and decision-making. In addition to this, the current research study
will observe that how the micro-financing programs enhanced the capacity of women
to manage their own finances; therefore, the current study is of immense significance.
A few attempts have been made in the past to comprehend the issues that women
experienced in particular settings, where they had to face many impediments during
their progression due to the traditions and ingrained conventions.

1.5 Objectives of the study

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 Every task is developed carried out with specific purposes and to be meaningful;
therefore, the study's primary goals are as follows in light of the research topic,
"Impact of Microfinance on Women's Empowerment in the selected area of KP":

1. To analyze the relationship between microcredit and women’s decision -

making ability in the newly merged area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

2. To analyze the impact of microcredit on the empowerment women in

newly merged areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
3. To determine the impact of microcredit on women’s self-confidence, in
the newly merged areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
4. To analyze the impact of micro finance on living standard of females in
the newly merged areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
5. To suggest some recommendation for future policy formulation for
women empowerment in the newly merged areas of the KP.

1.6 Hypotheses of the study

The following research hypotheses will be tested during the conduction of this
study.

1. Access to microcredit doesn’t have effect the living standard of females of

newly merged areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

2. Access to microcredit doesn’t increase decision making ability of the

females of living in the newly merged areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
3. Access to microcredit doesn’t enhance the confidence level of the females
living in the newly merged areas of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

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 SECTION II

LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
Numerous research works on women empowerment caused by the microfinance has
been carried out all over the world. Similarly a lot of research has also been done
within the country on the relationship of microfinance and poverty alleviation.

In order to put this research in an appropriate framework some of the existing

foreign literature and research carried out in Pakistan would be reviewed, which will
be very supportive in this study and will lead to a new track to analyze the impact of
microfinance on women's empowerment more accurately.

2.2 Women Empowerment

According to Al-Shami et al. (2021) Microcredit funding is a popular way to
reduce poverty and empower women. Studies showed positive, zero, and negative
microfinance effects. This study examined Al-Amal Bank's microcredit impacts on
women's empowerment in Yemen, a poor Middle Eastern country. Intangible
variables' effects were limited using a panel dataset, household surveys, and
propensity score matching. Microcredit increased household incomes and asset values,
according to empirical evidence. Microcredit promoted female entrepreneurship and
revenue production for increased household incomes and expenditures but had no
effect on female household decisions and mobility within the patriarchal system
practiced in many Arabian nations, including Yemen. The study's findings have
contributed to knowledge in three ways. First, a fresh proof was found of how
microcredit influenced Yemeni women's empowerment. This study explains how
access to microcredit affects women's economic and social empowerment. Social and
familial traditions influenced female traits and lifestyles through affecting
microcredit's impact on women's empowerment and vice versa. This report advises

10
Yemeni and other governments to provide financial services for self-development to
eliminate poverty and promote women's empowerment.

Asad (2020) highlighted that in most developing countries, including Pakistan,

women's empowerment is a concern. Most impoverished countries, including
Pakistan, undervalue women's contributions. Women contribute 25-30% to Pakistan's
economy, which is low compared to most developing and developed countries. This
study examines the role of microfinance institutes in women's empowerment in
Southern Punjab, Pakistan. To attain this goal, cross-sectional research was used to
survey microfinance clients. Microfinance institutes boost women's empowerment,
according to the study. Microfinance services including microcredit, microsavings,
and microinsurance empower women. Vulnerability reduces micro-effect credits on
women's empowerment. This study will help microfinance institutes, the State Bank of
Pakistan, and the Pakistani government improve women's empowerment.

Gilani et al. (2020) investigates the relationship between microcredit and

women empowerment in district Jhelum, Punjab. For this purpose, first hand data was
collected from 150 women clients of FINCA Microcredit Bank Ltd., Jhelum. This
study is unique in the sense that it disaggregates empowerment and offers deeper
analysis of the personal, economic, socio-political and familial dimensions of women
empowerment instead of a single composite measure. The study finds that women’s
decision to avail the microcredit facility empowers them in every aspects of live.
Microcredit help women in getting respect in their homes as they started work for
earned income. This helped the women to decided independently in family matters and
participate in social events as well as built trustworthy relation with their husbands.
Regression results show that age is significant determinant of personal and familial
empowerment of women. Moreover, women belonging to the joint family system are
less empowered personally and socio-politically however, they were more empowered
economically and within their families. The chances of empowerment of married
women are higher because they have more decisions to make than unmarried women
do. Overall, microcredit plays a significant role in women empowerment and has a
powerful policy impetus.

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 Lakmali and Mallika (2019) argued that one of Sri Lanka's Millennium
Development Goals is to promote gender equality and empower women, and
microfinance NGOs offer loan facilities to do so. In order to determine how
microcredit has affected women's empowerment in the Anuradhapura area, a study
was undertaken. Women who received credit and resided in the divisional secretarial
divisions of Anuradhapura, Thirappane, Thambuththegama, Horowpothana, and
Kekirawa were chosen for the sample using a random selection technique. The survey
method was utilized in this quantitative investigation. Women respondents were
surveyed using a standardized questionnaire, and information was also gathered
through interviews. Using duration with microcredit as a proxy, women respondents
who participated in microcredit were split into two groups as control and treatment,
and 121 and 116 questionnaires are presented for the control group and treatment
group, respectively. Three factors, including loan size, loan disbursement, and
repayment time, are used to examine the notion of microcredit. Five factors—
decision-making, mobility, finances, education, and health—were taken into account
in order to gauge women's empowerment. Using SPSS software, correlation,
independent sample t-test, and binary logistic regression analysis were carried out to
assess the effect of microcredit on women's empowerment. The study's findings also
supported the notion that microcredit has a good influence on women's empowerment
in the Anuradhapura district. However, it must be improved by offering time
management and leadership abilities. As a result, non-credit factors have a significant
impact on how well microcredit programmes for women's empowerment work.

Hussain et al. (2019) explores the impact of financial exclusion on financial

and human poverty amongst women in Pakistan. The findings suggest that persistent
financial exclusion, gender discrimination, and conservative religious values adversely
impact women’s empowerment. There is an inverse correlation between the size of
microcredit and women’s financial poverty, which is not the case for human poverty.
Larger families experienced higher rates of poverty reduction than smaller families.
The study offers evidence, and supports theories on the impact of microcredit upon
poverty alleviation. These findings inform policy makers, women entrepreneurs, and
microfinance institutions.

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 Kumar (2013) in his study has defined that empowerment involves
development in social and physical situations, along with decision making ability and
power over resources and system for nourishing these benefits.

Nawaz, et. al., (2012) conducted their study in Bahawalpur, Pakistan and found
that utilization of microcredit in different income making activities empowers women
at, economic, family and personal levels. Economic empowerment makes women
powerful at other levels also.

Brown (2011) explains that empowerment is a multi-dimensional and

subjective construct that is more strongly related to inner feelings than outer behaviors
and is always changing, inclined by cultural circumstances, and is a creation of several
experiences. She delivered that microfinance institutions are protecting borrowers
from financial suffering, encouraging savings and expanding income as well as letting
the borrowers to access resources that are needed for survival, and escalating the digit
of cultured and skilled people.

Ablorh (2011) evaluated that microfinance has enormously increased the

empowerment of women. The study illustrates that small loans provided to women by
microfinance institutions had improved the position of women within the community
as well as in the family.

Chaudhary and Nousheen (2009) observed that in many less developed

countries important concern of current developmental policies is women
empowerment. There are various socio-economic factors that determine women
empowerment.

Hoque and Itohara (2009) described that microcredit is increasing economic

activities and partaking in household decision making of the rural women. The women
participants of microfinance are more empowered than those who are not involved in
micro-credit activities.

MOWCA found that discrepancies among male and female are well known in
different areas such as; power over resources, employment, education, health,
participation in the socio- political activities and decision making in family affairs.

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Women are socially and economically mistreated as compared to men. This makes the
women deprived and less empowered. Therefore the main concern of all developing
countries is to empower women.

Microfinance and Women Empowerment Niethammer et al. (2007) identified

that deficiency capital is one of the major restraints for economic development and
women empowerment. It was concluded that microfinance program increase savings
and facilitate income generating activities of the poor and ensure conventional returns.
Most of the women observed a raise in their earnings as a medium for improving their
standing within the household. The women intended to get a better position by their
freedom of mobility, having their own income and the equal decision-making power
with men. Women entrepreneurs in the SME sector offer better employment to
women. The economic rationale for providing finance to women is that women
entrepreneurship is on the climb. Pakistan’s microfinance sector has not been able to
scale up as effectively as other countries.

Pitt and Khander (2006) explain that in Bangladesh, credit given to women by
the Grameen Bank has had encouraging effects on self-employment and the education
of girls. The study found that microfinance is the tool that can bring 18 positive
change in the living of the poor. It has also improved total household expenditures.
The status of women within the home increases with the increase in their income.

Abbas et al (2005) showed that development brought by microfinance

institutions in the business conditions of small entrepreneurs being accomplished is
exceptionally significant. Even though microfinance is not a new idea yet many people
are uninformed about micro financial services. Pakistan has to do much more for the
development of this sector by experiences of others along with its own experience in
the sector.

Malik and Luqman (2005) revealed that empowerment means self-confidence,

respect, access to resources, involvement in decision-making, power over
remuneration an improved well being. It is a procedure of transformation 15 which
gives them the capability to take control over their lives. Micro-credit programs bring
positive changes at the personal level. Pakistan is a male dominated society where
14
women feel deprived and underprivileged; to overcome this problem it is important
and necessary to empower the women. They further defined empowerment as the
procedure in which one has command over one’s life economically, socially and
politically. It cannot be denied that microfinance brings improvement in women's
aptitude to manipulate decision making and family dealings; their status within the
family and community improves. Microfinance also brings self-confidence among
women participants as well as improves gender relations causes’ reduction in family
violence and accelerates economic empowerment.

Parveen and Ingrid (2004) concluded that empowerment can be increased by

useful programs commenced by the authorities concerned in improving women`s
access to information and education.

Schreiner (2002) highlighted microfinance as proper system planned to

improve the wellbeing of the underprivileged through better access to credit and 19
savings. Ledgerwood (1999) describes microfinance as a monetary expansion
approach accepted to benefit low-income women and men.

Bennett (2002) stated that empowerment is enhancement of possessions and

social inclusion is elimination of institutional obstacles and improvement in 16
inducement to increase possessions and expansion in vision. He brings in the
expression of social insertion besides empowerment. All these definitions depict that
Women’s position, gender quality, women’s empowerment and women’s self-
sufficiency are correlated expressions.

Cheston and Kuhn (2002) reviewed that micro finance programs could make a
significant contribution to women’s empowerment. They delivered that just financial
assistance is not sufficient for empowerment of women but if these programs are
properly designed then they can play their role effectively. They defined that
empowerment is all about change, power and choice, but its capacity can be
determined in the perception of the socio-economic background that affect women’s
choices. Receiving cash in their hands increases women’s self-esteem and self-
confidence. It also empowers them socially and politically.

15
 Zaman (2001) conceded that microfinance played a significant function in
reducing poverty, through income generation and encouraging women by giving them
control over resources which increased their integrity and awareness.

Mumtaz (2000) concluded that microfinance programs concentrate on women

because they are the poorer half of the most deprived segment of the society. 17
Empowering women is expected to move the household out of poverty, as they
contribute their incomes to household wellbeing.

Fidler and Webster (1996) stated that microfinance facilitates the women to
start and enlarge small business and increase their earnings. Their involvement in
decision making also increases. Microfinance provides them opportunities for self -
employment. As less job opportunities are available in less developed countries even
for men, so women cannot compete with men for fewer jobs and have to rely on self-
employment for their earnings. Microfinance is mainly significant to increase the
efficiency of self-employment especially for women.

Pitt and Khandkar (1996) reported that loans play an imperative role in social,
economic, and political improvement of the condition of women. Wright (2000) stated
that micro credit by development agencies is supposed to improve lives of the poor,
such as improvement of shelter, increasing gainful activities, access to education and
empowerment of women. Zaman (1999) concluded that micro credit had the greatest
effect on women power over income and also on the familiarity of societal matters.
According to Hashimi et al. (1996) micro finance programs have been found to
support crises coping system, make possessions, enhance the standing of women and
expand income earning activities.

James and Trail (1995) suggested that implementation of significant literacy

programs and proper training was indispensable for women empowerment. This is one
of the best ways to subdue poverty of rural women. Educated women can more easily
protect their right and status and skillfulness of women had a useful impact on their
socio economic circumstances.

16
 Amin and Pebley (1994) in their study concluded that microfinance has
positive effect on woman’s power over resources and decision- making. Their opinion
about women empowerment is to identify their situation as compared to men in the
society: in the perspective of husbands and families and at the national level governed
by traditions and norms.

2.3 Conclusion
The aforementioned studies meticulously argued about the impact of micro
finance on women empowerment. Some studies found a positive impact of the
microfinance on the socio-economic conditions of women (Panda 2009; Abbas,
et.al.2005 ;) all over the world, while other researchers concluded that there was an
insignificant impact of microfinance was seen by Kabeer (2003), While, Bali and
wallentin (2007) were very optimistic about the impact of microfinance on women
empowerment. In the perspective of Pakistan the impact of microfinance on women
empowerment was examined by very few researchers. Study conducted by (Khan, et.al
2011) in Gujrat district of Punjab, Pakistan, asserts that micro finance had the possible
and powerful impact on women empowerment, although in a few cases women were
not able to utilize the credit for their empowerment. Moreover (Malik and Luqman
(2005) declared that microfinance program had optimistic impacts on women
empowerment all over the world but some negative impacts had also been found. All
these aforesaid studies give an idea about diverse perceptions on the topic of
microfinance and women empowerment. However, the encouraging impacts of
microfinance are universally and generally acknowledged. There is a need to find out
how micro financial services influence women to enhance their status in the family
and in the community. The previous studies discussed women empowerment in
general, however, in this viewpoint; the present study is different, as it attempts to
determine the impact of microfinance on four dimensions of women 45 empowerment
i.e. economic, socio-political, familial and personal within an underdeveloped
province of an underdeveloped country especially from women’s perspective. The
previous studies were used as a helpful device to conduct the present study.

17
 SECTION III
METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
The following research approaches were used to produce the aforementioned
results and validate the hypotheses that were created. There will be information about
the study's analytical framework, data gathering methods, sampling strategy, and
research methodology employed during the data collection process. The techniques for
data analysis are also provided.

3.2 Study Area and Sampled Data

The at-hand research study has mainly concentrated its focus on the Micro-
Financing system and it influences on the on the Women Empowerments in the Newly
Merged areas of KP; Therefore, data was collected through field surveys from the
women in newly merged areas of KP to evaluate Women Empowerment ratio. In
addition to these, the scholar visited the microfinance institutions associated with the
micro-financing programs and interviews of the executives were conducted.

Mix method of research was carried out i.e. quantitative and qualitative technics
were used for the accumulation of data (Khan, 2010). For the compilation of
quantitative data questionnaires were used where numerical data was to apply;
whereas, Qualitative technics were used for the grouping of data where interview or
non-numerical data was to apply. Hence, the findings were sorted out on the basis of
the nature of data i.e. whether quantitative or qualitative.

3.3 Population of the Study

In the current research study the inhabitants of the newly merged tribal areas of KP
were brought under-consideration who were involved in the micro-credits or micro-
18
finance activities. Random sampling technics were used for the selection of sample
size amongst those recipients who were availing the micro-finance credits because
such respondents could better reply and explain any kind of question regarding the
merits and demerits of the micro-financing programs. Self-structured questionnaire
was utilized in line with the objectives of the at-hand research study to accumulate
data and to conduct interviews of the women who were in involved with the micro-
financing institutions. Furthermore, for detection of addresses of the Micro-finance
beneficiaries or clients, support of Micro-financing institutions was obtained.

3.3.1 Primary Data

The at-hand research study was based on the survey research technics;
for that reason, it was highly dependent on the primary data. Thus, data was
accumulated from the women who belonged to the newly merged areas of KP
and who had availed Micro-Finance opportunities from Micro-Credits or
Micro-financing institutions such as NRSP (National Rural Support Program)
or SRSP (Sarhad Rural Support Program). Pre-tested household schedules
were arranged and used for the data accumulations from these women.
Furthermore, questionnaires were distributed amongst those women who had
availed Micro-finance opportunities from Micro-financing Institutions for
women empowerment. In addition to these, only those micro-finance cases
were brought under-consideration which were purely launched for the women
empowerment in newly tribal areas of KP. Moreover, the researcher personally
visited the micro-finance beneficiaries and executives to authenticate the data
thoroughly and to ensure the accuracy of the questionnaires; similarly,
interviews were conducted in person to avoid any chance of errors.

3.3.2 Secondary Data

Although the findings of the current research study are immensely
dependent on the primary data; yet, it is pertinent to use secondary for better
understanding of the theory and various definitions that are used in the at-hand
research study. Therefore, multiple sources such as research thesis, books,
authentic journals and internet were used to obtain secondary data and befitting
materials. In addition to this, data was obtained from the micro-financing
19
corporations that were available on their resources. Moreover, secondary data
was accumulated from the official statement and published reports that were
published by various organizations, government spokesmen and institutions.

3.3.3 Questionnaire Design

Self-structured questionnaire was developed comprising on the
demographic factor encompassing age, marital status, and educational level,
count down of family members, number of earning hands, their nature of
professions, bulk of income, family type, number of dependent member and
children. Furthermore, questions regarding saving, assets, health status, family
relations, and household expenses were included in the questionnaire. It was
attempted to prepare extremely concise and precise questionnaire with pre-
determined choice of answers which can easily be answered. Dichotomous or
two likert close ended questionnaire were used with simple tag of “YES” and
“NO” options. In addition to this, multiple choice questions are also added
giving the respondents open-hand to select either one, two, three or more
options. Finally, the questionnaire was divided in multiple segments: First
segment was comprised on questions associates with the socio-economic and
demographic information of the respondents. Second part was contained on
questions related to the women status with respect to her family who used to
get micro-financial aid and 3rd section was contained on questions after
availing the Micro-financial aid or micro-financial credit from the micro-
financing institutions. The last section was comprised on question regarding
the impacts of the micro-credit on their social, political, economic, personal
and familial empowerment. However, it was observed that most of the
respondents were unfamiliar with English language; therefore, the researcher
had to translate the questions into Urdu or Pashto language for better
understanding of the respondents and in purpose to obtain accurate data.

3.3.4 Pre-Testing

20
 For ensuring the reliability and validity test of the questionnaire was
conducted primarily based on twenty-5 respondents. Shortfalls observed within
the questionnaire were removed and errors were relinquished in earlier stage
before organizing the final draft of the questionnaire.

3.3.5 Sample Size

The main objective of the study is to find out the impact of
microfinance on women empowerment. Therefore, all the female participants
who took loans from the selected microfinance institutions represent the study
population. Due to time and financial constraints it was not possible to conduct
a complete survey of all women who have received assistance from MFI.‫۔‬
Determining the right patterns is something to think about. A large sample size
is a waste of time and resources if the desired precision is achieved with a
small sample (Khan, 2010). Thus, a sample that is representative of the
population is taken for the study. Considering the uniform characteristics of
women borrowers in each selected district, a small sample is sufficiently
representative of the entire universe. Hence, the sample size for primary data
collected from three districts is 235 respondents, divided according to the
number of women participating in microfinance institutions in the districts. For
this purpose, large microfinance institutions were selected which had a large
number of borrowers and were operating in the sector for at least five years i.e.
National Rural Support Program and Sarhad Rural Support Programe. The
total number of women borrowers from the selected microfinance institutions
was calculated and the proposed sample size was divided by the ratio of the
number of women borrowers in each sampled district ((Chaudhry, 2009)

Ni=n. Ni/N,

Where

ni=sample size of the ith stratum,

Ni=population of the ith stratum,

21
 N=total population,

n=total sample size

3.4 Theoretical framework

Basically, the theoretical framework is prepared in line with the literature
review as it classified the connection of association between the various variables
which as supposed important and significant for the research study regarding a
particular issue. Hereby, the issue of women empowerment is brought under-
consideration while studying its four dimensions i.e. socio-political empowerment,
personal development, fiscal empowerment and familial empowerment. Furthermore,
the method has been defined for the computation of these variables as follows:

3.4.1 Empowerment;
Empowerment means growing of the religious, social, political, and
economic power of communities and individuals. It entails developing self-
belief of the individual in her personal ability (Mohammad and Mohammed
2007). Various scholars have defined it differently in different, cultural, social
and political circumstances. Some of the indicators of empowerment are,
control over recourses, self-determination, self-strength, freedom of mobility,
right to vote, spending according to one’s own will, self-respect, and decision
making ability(Mohammad and Mohammed 2007). Empowerment can be
familial, social, personal, economic, and political.

WE = f (EE, PE, SPE, FE)

where.

WE = Women Empowerment

EE = Economic Empowerment

PE = Personal Empowerment

22
 SPE = Socio-Political Empowerment

FE = Familial Empowerment

3.4.2 Economic Empowerment:

Economic empowerment refers to increase in financial resources i.e.
increase in income, savings, expenditures and self-employment. There is
increase in consumption according to marginal propensity to consume,
ensuring an increase of productive investment and assets. Women are
economically empowered when they have control over resources, spend
according to their own will, work to earn income for themselves and for their
family, and make decisions concerning financial matters (Mohammad and
Mohammed 2007).

WEE = f (Noc, Age, Ms, Nof, Mc, Ft, Mi. Ed)

Where

WEE = women economic empowerment (1= Yes, 0=otherwise)

Noc = number of children

Age = age (Years)

Ms = marital status

Nof = number of family members

Mc = micro credit (Rs.)

Ft = family type (1=Nuclear, 2=Joint, = Extruded )

Mi = monthly income (Rs)

Ed = Education

POR = power over resources, (household income)

23
 WEI = work for earned income

HE = Deciscen in household expenditures (1=Yes, 2=No)

Model 1

WEE = β0 + β1 age+ β2 ms+ β3 noc+ β4 nof+ β5 mi+ β6ft +β7mc+ β8hh+µ

3.4.3 Social and Political Empowerment:

Social empowerment refers to the awareness among women who are
really mistreated and dominated by males in various areas of the
underdeveloped countries. Generally, Social empowerment is associated to the
involvement of people in different political institutions and communities,
decision-making influence and freedom of mobility. The other factors included
in social empowerment are increase in the use of contraceptives and
participation in different social and political meetings (Mohammad and
Mohammed 2007). Political empowerment refers to women’s right to vote.
There are many areas in the province where women are deprived of this right.
Therefore political empowerment is included in the study. It also includes their
association with political parties, expression of their own view point about
political matters. Social and political empowerment can be determined by;

WSPE = f(Noc, Age, Ms, Nof, Mc, Ft, Mi, Hh)

Where

WSPE = women socio-political empowerment (1= Yes, 0=otherwise)

Noc = number of children

Age = age (Years)

Ms = marital status (1=married, 2=unmarried)

Nof = number of family members

Mc = micro credit (Rs)

24
 Ft = family type (1=Nuclear, 2=Joint, = Extruded )

Mi = monthly income (Rs)

Hh = Household head

SPE = f (FM. DM, RV, SPP)

Where

SPE = socio-political empowerment

FM = freedom of mobility

RV = right to vote,

SPP = social and political participation,

DM = decision making regarding social and political activities.

Model 2

WSPE = β0 + β1 age+ β2 ms+ β3noc+ β4 nof+ β5 mi+ β6 ft +β7 mc+ β8 hh+µ

3.4.4. Familial Empowerment;

Familial Empowerment refers to empowerment within household. It is
related with understanding between husband and wife, decrease in the burden
of house hold work, more respect with in household from husband and other
family members, decisions on the spacing between children, type of
contraceptive to be used, decision making power with in household and respect
from in-laws.

WFE = f ( Noc, Age, Ms, Nof, Mc, Ft, Mi, Hh)

Where

WFE = women familial empowerment

25
 Noc = number of children

Age = age

Ms = marital status

Nof = number of family members

Mc = micro credit

Ft = family type

Mi = monthly income

Hh = household head

FE = f (HV, BW, SW, DM)

Where

FE = familial empowerment

BW = decrease in household burden of work,

HV = Decrease in household violence,

SW = Spending according to own will

DM = Decision making ability regarding family issues

Model 3

W FE = β0 + β1 age + β2 ms + β3noc + β4 nof + β5 mi + β6ft +β7mc + β8hh + µ

3.4.5 Personal Empowerment:

Personal Empowerment refers to individual self-confidence, self-
esteem, self-determination, life of dignity and respect, decision making ability,
feeling strong within the household and strength within a woman. If a woman
is personally empowered it declares that she is confident and has the ability to
take interest in decisions with in the family and outside in the business also.

WPE = f (Noc, Age, Ms, Nof, Mc. Ft, Mi,Hh)

26
 Where

WPE = women personal empowerment

Noc = number of children

Age = age

Ms = marital status

Nof = number of family members

Mc = micro credit

Ft = family type

Mi = monthly income

Hh = household head

PE = f (SC, DR, FS, DM)

Where

PE = personal empowerment

SC = self-confidence felt by women themselves

SR = dignity and self-respect within the household and community

FS = feeling strong within household

DM = decision making within the household regarding personal

matters

Model 4

WPRE = β0 + β1 age+ β2 ms+ β3noc+ β4 nof+ β5 mi+ β6 ft +β7mc+ β8 hh+µ

3.5 Measurement of Microfinance in Different Levels

According to (Wakoko, 2003) and (Dunn, 1999) the impact of microfinance can be
studied at three different levels i.e. individual level, household level, and

27
entrepreneurial level. The present study also follows three levels to evaluate the
impact of microfinance on women empowerment. These are;

3.5.1 Household Level

Due to microfinance the social and economic status of a household is
expected to changes. It brings changes in the level of household income,
improvement in living standard, change in household assets and increase in
household expenditures (Wokoko, 2003).

3.5.2 Individual Level

Different studies declare that microfinance brings a positive change at
individual level. Some of the important changes are control over resources,
self-esteem and respect from others, improved self-confidence level and
improvement in decision making ability of women (Wokoko, 2003).

3.5.3 Regional Level

Microfinance can be more effective in some regions as compared to
others. For this purpose three districts were selected and impact of
microfinance was compared in these regions.

28
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