Participation of women in the South Asian microfinance industry: An observation

In: Journal of public affairs, Band 21, Heft 2

Abstract

Considering the definitive role of women in microfinance industries, the study has examined the participation of women in various management roles and clients base of the South Asian microfinance market. By so doing, secondary data were obtained from the World Bank database, which incorporated the microfinance information exchange (MIX) dataset for free and easy access to global data on microfinance institutions (MFIs). The data used in this study span the period 2011–2018 (excluding female borrowers), and include six South Asian countries –Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Methodologically, the study relied on descriptive types of analysis in line with the context of the research. The findings revealed a disadvantageous and disproportionate representation of women in various management roles relative to the client base of MFIs. Moreover, average female participation rates (excluding female borrowers) in the South Asian microfinance market in tandem with the female labor force participation rate were observed to be lower than the global average; thereby, raising concerns about the poor gender diversity in this part of the world.