How Micro Credit Empowerment Has Led to Domestic Violence in Intra Households - Research Proposal Example

How Micro Credit Empowerment has led to Domestic Violence in Intra Households Formulation of the Problem It is widely believed that microfinance programs have the potential to empower the poor people. This has resulted in microfinance become a central component of donor agencies and national government’s poverty alleviation, and community development programs. The State of the Microcredit Summit Campaign 2001 Report indicated that 14.2 million of the world’s poorest women had access to financial services through microfinance institutions; banks; NGOs; and other nonbank financial institutions. These included 74 percent of the 19.3 million of the world’s poorest people served by microfinance institutions. Donor poverty alleviation strategies have focussed on micro-finance strategies targeting women. Initiatives by CGAP and member donor agencies will cause increase in funding, and this expansion is dominated by the “financial self-sustainability paradigm.” The aim is to develop programmes that are profitable and fully self-supporting, with the ability to raise funds from international financial markets rather than relying on funds from various development agencies. The concern for financial sustainability and evidence of higher repayment rates by women has led many programmes target women. Aid donors; governments; scholars; and other development experts have focussed on microfinance as a strategy capable of reaching women and involving them in the development process (Cheston and Kuhn, 2005). A survey of 1300 households reported that 19 percent women being beaten; married women between 20-29 years with likelihood to be beaten than elder women; women with loans or schooling were less likely to be beaten; non microfinance women had a 3 times higher likelihood among Grameen clients; and 2 times higher likelihood to be beaten among BRAC clients. The study concluded that microfinance could lead to increased confidence; decision making; and control over resources. A natural reaction to challenge of patriarchy, by participation in microfinance programs can lead to short term increase in violence. Domestic violence results from deep rooted structures of power and ideological norms. Other studies found that microfinance is not a solution, but opens up possibilities for poor women. Besides providing access to resources, the process provides avenues for participating in groups and creating conditions for long-term improvement in status and decreased violence (Hashemi and Rojas-Garcia, 2004). According to Hashemi and Rojas-Garcia (2004) of CGAP, microfinance aims to provide sustainable services to people who are poor and excluded as a permanent part of the formal financial sector. Financial services needed include microenterprise loans; access to money sent by relatives; loans for emergency needs; safe place to save; educational expenses; old age pensions; and insurance against risk. It has been estimated that over 750 million accounts in social financial institutions are poor. Hashemi and Rojas-Garcia (2004) found evidence of empowerment, which include 68 percent of the Women’s Empowerment Program in Nepal members making household decisions; increase in household-fund managers, who were women, from 33 to 51 percent in TSPI in Philippines; and women being in a better position for ensuring children’s access to food, schooling, and medical care. A survey of 1300 clients in Bangladesh revealed that credit program participants were more empowered than non-participants, which was enabled by physical mobility, ownership and control of assets; involvement in decision making; and political and legal awareness. A study by SEDP in Bangladesh found that increased contributions of household resources resulted in increased self-worth, coupled with declining levels of tension and violence. Another study by Freedom from Hunger, Bolivia found that program participation let to increased self-confidence, and improved status within the community. According to Hashemi and Rojas-Garcia (2004), the counter arguments to microfinance and women’s empowerment include involving women as a conduit for loans to men; coercion for enforcement of repayment; domestic tensions resulting from women’s forced attendance in group meetings; and drift from focus on gender issues resulting from emphasis on financial sustainability. Cheston and Kuhn (2005) found that some studies have reported that women’s participation in microfinance leads to domestic violence, while the majority of researchers have reported the opposite effect. The concerns of domestic violence arise from women challenging gender norms, and asserting their rights. Microfinance programs can strengthen women’s economic autonomy, and provide opportunities for non-traditional activities. Women asserting themselves and their opinion in their households face the risk of incurring the wrath of angry husbands, who feel threatened by their behaviour. The majority of studies have concluded that microfinance strengthens, and improves family relationships rather than destroying them. Researchers have concluded that family relations could be strengthened, when the home becomes a comfortable place and each member of the family feels secure in the ability to contribute to the productivity of the family. Aims and Objectives A study has been envisaged with the aim of understanding how micro credit has led to empowerment of women, and its effects on households. The objectives of the study are to test the following hypotheses: H0: Micro credit programs have empowered women, but have increased domestic violence; and the alternative hypothesis being HA: Micro credit programs have empowered women, but have not increased domestic violence. Research Design and Methods The research has been envisioned in several stages. The stages have been illustrated in the table 1 below. Stage one involves the preparation of proposal. Stage one would be followed by review of relevant literature. Findings from the literature review would be used to design a survey. The survey would have several sections to assess findings from the literature review. Sections include microfinance strategies targeting women; empowerment of families; sustainability of microfinance initiatives; and quality of life including domestic violence. Development of the survey would be followed by the execution of the survey. The results of the survey would be analyzed to develop the conclusions and recommendations. Table 1. Research Stages Stage Activity Date Deliverable One Preparation of proposal 05-15-2010 to 05-21-2010 Research Proposal Two Review of relevant literature 06-01-2010 to 07-31-2010 Literature Review Three Design of study & Execution of survey 08-01-2010 to 08-30-2010 Survey; Survey Results Four Analysis of results 09-01-2010 to 09-31-2010 Survey Findings Five Development of conclusions and recommendations 10-01-2010 to 10-30-2010 Dissertation Data Collection and Analysis The survey would be generated in electronic format using web based tools such as surveymonkey.com. Respondents would be briefed about the survey and how their participation would impact the survey. Also, they would be informed about the results of the survey. Data collection is expected to be completed over a period of three weeks. A minimum of 30 respondents are expected to participate in the study. The number of samples has been considered to be adequate for the study. The data would be analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Potential Users and User Engagement Respondents of the survey would include stakeholders such as executives or professionals from organizations and institutions involved in micro finance initiatives. It would be ensured that participants of the survey have a minimum level of knowledge, and several years of experience on the subject matter. Respondents would be briefed about the survey, and informed that their participation in the study is voluntary. While analyzing data from the survey, respondent information would be kept confidential. The results of the survey would be analyzed as a group. Potential Difficulties Several challenges have been expected. The first challenge includes finding publications by independent researchers or organizations not involved in microfinance initiatives or sponsored by organizations. Studies by a variety of organizations or researchers are necessary to obtain a balanced view of findings, and associated issues. The next challenge involves recruiting respondents for the study. Considering the limited time for the study, it will be difficult to travel to several geographical areas to recruit respondents. Respondents across geographical locations would be briefed by email and phone, and hopefully will decide to participate in the survey. During the briefing, respondents would be briefed not only about the survey, but also how their participation and the findings from the survey can contribute to the body of knowledge, and convince sponsors to continue funding and sponsor projects. Ethical Considerations The study would be based on voluntary participation of executives and researchers. All information would be kept confidential. Dissemination Strategy A dedicated website would be created for the study. A paper would be prepared based on the findings from the study, and will be forwarded for publishing in reputed journals. A report will be prepared and forwarded to stakeholders of microfinance programs who could benefit from the study, or would be interested in the findings. The report will be available on the website for download. Conclusion It is expected that lending to women will continue to benefit households. Garikipati (2008) found that loans procured by women could be diverted into enhancing household assets and incomes. A woman’s lack of co-ownership of a family’s productive assets could result in the disempowerment of women. A change in status quo requires a challenge of patriarchal hold on productive assets. References Cheston. S. & Kuhn, L. (2005). Empowering Women through Microfinance. Available: http://www.microcreditsummit.org/papers/empowerment.pdf. Last Accessed May 21 2010. Garikipati, S. (2008). The Impact of Lending to Women on Household Vulnerability and Women’s Empowerment: Evidence from India. World Development. 36(12): 2620-2642 Hashemi, S. & Rojas-Garcia. (2004). Microfinance and Domestic Violence. CGAP:USA. 1-12 Appendix A: Figures Figure 1. Proportion of Women Beaten and Contributing to Family Support (Hashemi and Rojas-Garcia, 2004) Read More