Micro Finance and Women Empowerment in Urban Setting: Reflection from Southern Ethiopia

The main objective of the study is to explore the extent, to which women are empowered thorough micro finance programs, a reflection from Southern Ethiopia. Mixed research methodology was used to generate data both from primary and secondary sources. Primary data were collected by means of survey questionnaire, in-depth-interview of cases, key informant interview, focus group discussion, non-participant observation, and field notes. An analytical framework was applied for better understandings and measuring empowerment in the context of this study. The collected data were analyzed, summarized, and interpreted through qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis where, Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to quantitatively present the numeric data. In spite of the entry barriers into the programs, it was revealed that participation in the programs has brought positive economic and social impacts on the lives of the beneficiary women. Alternatively, women perception and experiences of empowerment through micro finance programs is truly interesting as viewed in the eyes of the women themselves. Revisiting client selection criteria; promote saving mobilizations; scale up best practices of women affair office of the town so far made to inculcate the roles and values women play; and uphold experience sharing mechanisms between participant and other women in the study area as a way out. Keywords: Micro finance, empowerment, and perception. DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-3-0