Microcredit, Food Security and Women Empowerment in Bangladesh
Author
Summary, in English
Food security is an important factor contributing to the socio-economic
stabilization and development of Bangladesh. Though, the country has made a
steady progress in the expansion of food production, but food insecurity is still a
major problem mainly because of poverty. Various development strategies aimed
at eliminating poverty are now combining the microcredit as one of the key
sectors in their programs. Empirical studies provide convincing evidence that
microcredit has had positive impacts on three important sectors of national
development - the alleviation of poverty, the empowerment of women and the
food security. This thesis scrutinizes the effectiveness and the capability of
microcredit in enhancing women’s livelihood and empowerment in rural areas of
Bangladesh. By using Sen’s Capability Approach and empirical data, this thesis
represents the interaction of women’s livelihood and microcredit. Collecting data
from qualitative sources, this thesis tries to evaluate if the poverty alleviation
capacity of microcredit helps its participant to improve food security. The
findings show that microcredit can enhance women’s capabilities in achieving
food security by offering them diverse economic and social solution of their
vulnerability. This thesis concludes that although microcredit is certainly not a
magic formula for poverty alleviation, however, it can prove itself a beneficial
tool in the fight against poverty and food insecurity.
stabilization and development of Bangladesh. Though, the country has made a
steady progress in the expansion of food production, but food insecurity is still a
major problem mainly because of poverty. Various development strategies aimed
at eliminating poverty are now combining the microcredit as one of the key
sectors in their programs. Empirical studies provide convincing evidence that
microcredit has had positive impacts on three important sectors of national
development - the alleviation of poverty, the empowerment of women and the
food security. This thesis scrutinizes the effectiveness and the capability of
microcredit in enhancing women’s livelihood and empowerment in rural areas of
Bangladesh. By using Sen’s Capability Approach and empirical data, this thesis
represents the interaction of women’s livelihood and microcredit. Collecting data
from qualitative sources, this thesis tries to evaluate if the poverty alleviation
capacity of microcredit helps its participant to improve food security. The
findings show that microcredit can enhance women’s capabilities in achieving
food security by offering them diverse economic and social solution of their
vulnerability. This thesis concludes that although microcredit is certainly not a
magic formula for poverty alleviation, however, it can prove itself a beneficial
tool in the fight against poverty and food insecurity.
Department/s
- Graduate School
- Master of Science in Development Studies
- Department of Human Geography
Publishing year
2014
Language
English
Full text
Document type
Student publication for Master's degree (one year)
Topic
- Social Sciences
Supervisor
- Franz-Michael Rundquist (Senior Professor)