The Role of Amhara Credit and Saving Institution (Acsi) in the Socio-Economic Empowerment of Women in Basona Werana Woreda
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2019-06
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Abstract
study set out to assess the role of Amhara credit and saving institution (ACSI) in the socioeconomic empowerment of women. To this end, the study was conducted on married women credit clients of Debre Berhan Zuria Woreda ACSI’s center to examine the role of the credit service in improving the social and economic condition of clients, and to identify clients’ attitude towards the institution and the credit service. Besides, an assessment has been made on the institution’s credit service provision process and the requirements to become eligible for the credit service, and to identify types of credit service and purposes the credit is rendered. Also, an endeavor has been made to identify local institutions involvement in the socioeconomic empowerment of married women. A concurrent triangulation approach was employed to collect and analyze the data needed to address the forgoing objectives. Accordingly, data were collected from 248 married women survey participants and 14 married women in-depth interviewees. In addition, key informant interviews were conducted with four ACSI experts and two Women and Children Affairs Office officer. The study employed a guiding conceptual framework developed based on literature to articulate and direct its empirical investigation. The study reveals ACSI’s significant contribution in the socioeconomic empowerment of married women clients. The social and economic condition of married women clients has improved due to the credit service. Women’s social and economic empowerment indicators have shown an improvement after the credit service. However, the study disclosed, the institution has faced with problems such as lack of adequate transportation service and shortage of personnel to achieve its mission of improving the economic situation of low income, productive poor people. Also, cultural attitude is among the pillar challenges in the socioeconomic empowerment of women. ACSI provides two types of credit services; individual and group. However, the study shows, the former is not practiced among rural married women clients. The study further reveals married women credit clients have a favorable attitude towards the institution and the credit service. As the study finding has shown, local institutions have also a role in the socioeconomic empowerment of married women with exception of religious institutions.
Key Words: ACSI, Married Women, Concurrent Triangulation Approach, Economic Empowerment, Social Empowerment
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ACSI, Married Women, Concurrent Triangulation Approach, Economic Empowerment, Social Empowerment