Sociology and Anthropology Vol. 3(4), pp. 218 - 225
DOI: 10.13189/sa.2015.030402
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Microfinance Helps to Rural Women for Poverty Reduction in the District of Bogra, Bangladesh

Isahaque Ali ^1,*, Muhammad Shariful Islam ², Zulkarnain A. Hatta ^3
1 Department of Sociology and Social Work, Gono University, Savar, Bangladesh
² Department of Social Work, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
³ Department of Social Work, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia

ABSTRACT

The primary objective of this study was to examine the role of microfinance programs in poverty reduction among the poor women in Bogra District. The study was based on data collected from a total of 400 microfinance beneficiaries, which was recruited using a simple random sampling in the year 2011. The study findings suggested that there was no significant relationship of microfinance on specific variables such as household income, education opportunities, employment, health, nutrition, sanitations facilities and women`s empowerment in the district of Bogra. Only housing status of microfinance beneficiaries had improved during their membership periods. This study proposed a poverty reduction model that includes various aspects including political and social policy reformulations; natural disaster management; employment opportunities; financial assistances; zakat and social safety nets; proper healthcare for the poor; education and knowledge institutions; technical or skills development training; vocational education; development infrastructure and shelter; women`s empowerment and capacity building; as well as women`s human rights and social justice in order to be more effective in understanding and finding solutions to mitigate poverty in general.

KEYWORDS
Bangladesh, Microfinance, Poverty Reduction

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Isahaque Ali , Muhammad Shariful Islam , Zulkarnain A. Hatta , "Microfinance Helps to Rural Women for Poverty Reduction in the District of Bogra, Bangladesh," Sociology and Anthropology, Vol. 3, No. 4, pp. 218 - 225, 2015. DOI: 10.13189/sa.2015.030402.

(b). APA Format:
Isahaque Ali , Muhammad Shariful Islam , Zulkarnain A. Hatta (2015). Microfinance Helps to Rural Women for Poverty Reduction in the District of Bogra, Bangladesh. Sociology and Anthropology, 3(4), 218 - 225. DOI: 10.13189/sa.2015.030402.