Understanding Impact of Microcredit on Socio-Economic Status of Women Micro-Entrepreneurs

Abstract

Microcredit is small ticket loan provided by microfinance institutions for starting enterprise to the poor people. The study is conducted on those women beneficiaries who are the member of self-help groups (SHGs) and had taken microcredit and took entrepreneurial ways of livelihood and run a micro-enterprise in their localities. The findings of the study conclude that: 1) after becoming economically empowered, womens socio-economic status in the society as well as in her family have improved substantially and there is positive change observed in her personality also; 2) significant number of women micropreneurs fall in the age group of 31 to 40 participate in decision-making regarding family; 3) the women microcredit beneficiaries contribute too appropriately in their familys income; 4) women become responsible for microcredit, for repayments, for maintaining saving accounts and after bearing these responsibilities, women gain confidence to take charge of their lives and the lives around them; 5) microcredit is an empowerment tool for women who take-up entrepreneurial career.