Impact of Microcredit on Gendered Poverty: Women’s Participation in Urban Microcredit Programs at Slum Areas of Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of microcredit on gendered poverty and wellbeing in selected slum areas of Dhaka city, Bangladesh. It is a qualitative and feminist epistemological study that used triangulation of data using in-depth-interview, focus group discussion and participatory rural appraisal. The testimonies of participants were the heart of the study to explore women’s lives experiences. Such testimonies have not been used in many similar studies. It appears that microcredit programs do not create opportunities for the majority of women because men’s presence at home constrains women from participating in paid livelihood. Overall, it can be said that microcredit has limited capacity to alleviate poverty but it contributed to keeping poverty only at a tolerance level by affecting one or two of the most significant wellbeing indicators.