Women‘s Participation in Micro-Finance Programs, Gender Attitudes and Access to Health and Education in Bangladesh

Sajeda Amin, Population Council
Simeen Mahmud, BRAC University
Tareq Khan, Comilla University

The purpose of this analysis is to explore correlates of gender related outcomes in rural Bangladesh. We contrast access to micro-finance institution (MFI) credit and access to remittance income. MFI activities and labor migration have risen dramatically in recent years and are integral to development policies and poverty alleviation. Gender outcomes considered in this analysis are acceptance of violence, health seeking behavior, contraceptive use, son preference and women’s engagement in paid work. The data are from a 2011-2012 nationally representative sample survey of ever married women. Results show strong association between MFI membership and three indicators of equitable gender norms: improved contraceptive use, ability to access health care and engagement in paid work. By contrast women in remittance earning households are significantly less likely to use contraceptive and engage in paid work. Both MFI membership and remittance are more likely to condone gender based violence.