Women Empowerment and Microcredit: A Case Study of Tyosombo Mnyim “Bam” in Katsina-Ala, Benue State, Nigeria
Maurice Tyokever
Department of Agricultural Education
College of Education, Katsina Ala, Benue State
Email: mauric4real1@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
This study investigates the impact of microcredit as a women’s empowerment strategy. It draws empirical evidence from Tyosombo Mnyim Ban in Katsina-ala, Benue state to examine issues of socio-economic status,
wealth, autonomy, disapproval of violence and duration of membership. The study has provided evidence that members of ban clubs do not differ from non – members in terms of socio-economic characteristics such as age,
number of children and marital status but differ from non-members in terms of ownership of materials used as indicator of wealth status. The study further revealed that bam members had more autonomy in decision
making, fertility control and were more empowered than non-members. Based on these findings, it was recommended that government should lay more emphasis on encouraging the participation of women in microcredit clubs as a way of promoting women’s empowerment.Key words: micro credit, women’s empowerment, “Bam” Clubs.
