Microfinance and women empowerment: a case study of the first microfinance bank

Abstract

Although the trend of focusing on women through microfinance has gained popularity recently in Pakistan, women in the country still face a relative disadvantage in accessing and utilizing micro financial services as compared to men. As a result of cultural and societal restrictions, Pakistani men are better equipped in terms of skills, knowledge, assets and other resources. As women are considered to be household managers and 4 subordinate to men, they lack decision making power, mobility, market access and education or awareness in their respective fields and also in terms of their rights. Apart from that security is a great concern for them and therefore the requirement is of female staff for dealing with the female population. The gendered financial exclusion study has revealed that 68% of women and 42% of men in Pakistan are financially excluded (DFID, 2009).