Microfinance Enhances Chances of Women Empowerment! Myth or Reality? Evidence from District Jhelum

Abstract

The growth and prosperity of any economy depend upon women's empowerment. Microfinance programs are treated as a key strategy in addressing development issues across nations. This study attempts to investigate the relationship between Microfinance and Women Empowerment, with the moderation role of household support and entrepreneurship in district Jhelum. The reason for this study is to investigate how microfinance helps to empower women. The literature review has discussed all the important factors of the study. A quantitative approach was used to measure and interpret the results of the study. Primary data was collected from 315 respondents through a selfadministrated questionnaire. Collected data was analyzed through two different software SPSS and SMART PLS. SPSS used for primary data analysis like data screening and normality of data. Smart PLS used to apply structural equation modeling (SEM). A twostep approach to structural equation modeling was used. The findings of the study support the hypothesized relationships proposed in the theoretical model. The results revealed that there is a significantly positive relationship between microfinance and women empowerment. The results also provide strong evidence of the moderation effect of household support and entrepreneurship. The study confirms that microfinance plays an important role in the empowerment of women. The results of the study will be helpful for government Policymakers, NGOs, and microfinance institutions in Jhelum. This study limited to one cultural and one demographic zone. This study only used the borrower point of view it will be better to use the organization's point of view as well.