Honest Muyasani
Mulungushi University, Entrepreneur, Faculty Member
iv) Abstract The purpose of this study was to document past and present stakeholders’ experiences concerning the Village Bank programme, which is a pilot microcredit facility being implemented by the Ministry of Community Development,... more
iv) Abstract
The purpose of this study was to document past and present stakeholders’ experiences concerning the Village Bank programme, which is a pilot microcredit facility being implemented by the Ministry of Community Development, with the intention of empowering women through income generation activities. The results show that participation in microfinance services women can gain the ability to make strategic choices concerning their lives and set-up their own businesses. The study used post-positivist qualitative approach using a self-administered questionnaires and focus group discussions with a view to gather information from individuals as well as from groups in order for women to share views and also to gather collective information of the programme in the three Sub centres. The study interviewed 30 beneficiaries and conducted 3 focus group discussions. The research findings indicate that that Village Bank programme played a significant role in empowering women economically and socially through income generation, asset creation, improved nutrition, better education support for children, and involved in household decision making among other indicators. However, several challenges were highlighted during the interviews and Focus group discussions which included low capital financing and poor monitoring of the programme by the Department of Community Development. The women also complained that disbursement of loan delay from one disbursement to the next giving out making them wait for sometimes more than six months beyond the scheduled time limit.
The purpose of this study was to document past and present stakeholders’ experiences concerning the Village Bank programme, which is a pilot microcredit facility being implemented by the Ministry of Community Development, with the intention of empowering women through income generation activities. The results show that participation in microfinance services women can gain the ability to make strategic choices concerning their lives and set-up their own businesses. The study used post-positivist qualitative approach using a self-administered questionnaires and focus group discussions with a view to gather information from individuals as well as from groups in order for women to share views and also to gather collective information of the programme in the three Sub centres. The study interviewed 30 beneficiaries and conducted 3 focus group discussions. The research findings indicate that that Village Bank programme played a significant role in empowering women economically and socially through income generation, asset creation, improved nutrition, better education support for children, and involved in household decision making among other indicators. However, several challenges were highlighted during the interviews and Focus group discussions which included low capital financing and poor monitoring of the programme by the Department of Community Development. The women also complained that disbursement of loan delay from one disbursement to the next giving out making them wait for sometimes more than six months beyond the scheduled time limit.
