Ethiopian Women Economic Empowerment Through Microfinance

Abstract

Women's economic empowerment a strategy helping women to participate in the process of making decisions, supporting income increment, asset possession. The main aim of this study is to investigate the microfinance impact on women economic empowerment considering age and education as moderators. Data for this study have been collected from 346 respondents of microfinance beneficiary women. For data analysis multiple regression and moderated regression with Hayes (2018) process macro software were used in the study. Regression results showed that credit amount, age, number of training, marital status, education level, have a significant impact on the development of women's economy. However, the business experience has an insignificant impact on the development of women's economy. Moderated regression results revealed that age and education did not have a moderation role in the relationship between microfinance service and on the economic empowerment of women. Microfinance affects women's economic empowerment by improving women's independent income, increasing asset possession levels, and improved monthly saving amount. Moreover, the study proved that the microfinance institution has a vital role in women entrepreneurs' development and business exposure.