| Abstract: |
Microfinance programs like Self Help Group Bank linkage program (SHG), aim to
empower women through provision of financial services. We investigate this
further to determine whether it is the economic or the non-economic factors
that have a greater impact on empowering women. Using household survey data on
SHG from India, a general structural model is adopted where the latent women
empowerment and its latent components (economic factors and financial
confidence, managerial control, behavioural changes, education and networking,
communication and political participation and awareness) are measured using
observed indicators. The results show that for SHG members, economic factors,
managerial control and behavioural changes are the most significant factors in
empowering women. |