A review of microfinance and women empowerment in Ethiopia

Abstract

Microfinance has a positive impact on the living standard of the poor people in particular and alleviates poverty in their households in general. It is not only undermining poverty in the city but also empowering women through surviving and making their life prosperous with dignity and self-reliance by providing financial services. This study aims to provide information for a better understanding of the constraints of women to access microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Ethiopia and establishes a knowledge base that helps to make a sound decision by providing information for policymakers and identifying research gaps, MFIs, and other lending institutions, and stakeholders. The study uses the literature review methods. From the findings of the study, Ethiopian Microfinance is facing different challenges in empowerment such as lack of collateral assets, lack of information, work burden, production failures, verbal abuse, lack of infrastructure and low institutional capacity. Keywords: Collateral, empowering women, microfinance, poverty eradication