Access to Financial Services and Women´s Empowerment

Abstract

The objective of this study is to evaluate the relationship between membership in a Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) in rural Malawi and the empowerment of women. The data used in this study was collected through individual interviews with members of a VSLA operated by a local NGO. We investigate how differences in the level of empowerment of old and new members, controlling for other relevant variables, are associated with the length of membership in the VSLA. We find that membership is significantly associated with higher community participation and financial empowerment of women but not with intra-household decision-making.