Microcredit as a Tool of Women Empowerment in Rural Bangladesh

Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world where women comprise almost 50% of the total population, of whom around 80 percent live in the rural areas. Most women in the rural areas are treated as vulnerable and poorest of the rural poor. In this context the women are largely involved in income generating activities to promote economic growth and social transformation. Over the last two decades a number of non government organizations (NGOs) have emerged in Bangladesh to support the rural poor women by providing them with collateral fee small loans. With that loan they encourages the micro entrepreneurship like poultry, livestock rearing, small verities shop, tea stall, hand looms, handicrafts and transport van. Women involvement in microfinance organization and their entrepreneurship activities makes them financially empowered.