Abstract:
Focusing on women’s empowerment in Arbaminch town is crucial due to the unique socio
economic challenges and opportunities faced by women in this region. The local context,
including traditional gender roles and economic conditions, provides a distinct backdrop
for assessing the impact of microfinance programs and other empowerment initiatives. By examining how factors such as income control, education, and access to financial
resources influence women's empowerment in Arbaminch, this study aims to generate
actionable insights that can inform targeted policies and programs, ultimately contributing
to the broader goal of improving gender equality and community development in similar
settings. This study evaluates the impact of Vision Fund microfinance on women's
empowerment in Arbaminch town, southern Ethiopia. Using quantitative data, a sample of
256 women was selected through systematic random sampling and analyzed using binary
logistic regression. Key findings indicate that marital status, income control, and house
ownership are strongly positively associated with borrowing status and women's
empowerment, with high statistical significance. Conversely, age and family affairs show
minimal impact. Female education, partner education, and family size exhibit marginal
significance. Descriptive analysis highlights that economic factors, particularly income
and asset ownership, are crucial for women's empowerment, while traditional financial
practices also play a role. Chi-square tests reveal significant associations between
borrowing
status
and
various
empowerment indicators, emphasizing the
interconnectedness of financial behaviors and empowerment. T-tests and treatment-effect
models further confirm that higher levels of empowerment significantly correlate with
increased borrowing status. Overall, the study underscores the importance of economic
opportunities and decision-making power in enhancing women's empowerment,
advocating for targeted interventions in these areas.
