scholarly journals EFFECTIVENESS OF ZAKAT-BASED PROGRAMS ON POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF POOR WOMEN: A CASE STUDY OF BANGLADESH

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-258
Author(s):  
Fahami Muhammad Anis ◽  
Salina H. Kassim
Keyword(s):  
Rural Women ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Poverty Alleviation ◽  
Equity Capital ◽  
Cash Transfer ◽  
Economic Empowerment ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Poor Women ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Development Approach

Among the many problems facing Bangladesh, poverty remains a key problem affecting millions of lives. During the past few decades, many initiatives have been implemented such as microcredit and cash transfer programs, yet the results seemed to be ambiguous. New frontiers are now sought to find new sources of finance which could offer a more effective and sustainable solution to the root cause of the poverty problem. Considering the idea of entrepreneurship and group-based development approach of microcredit, a zakat-based development approach was initiated in Bangladesh at a private level by an organization called Center for Zakat Management (CZM) for poverty alleviation and sustainable economic empowerment targeting poor women in rural areas. This paper aims to assess the effectiveness of the CZM efforts in utilizing zakat funds for promoting entrepreneurship among poor rural women. Focusing on the case of Bangladesh, this study assesses the effectiveness of zakat on aspects such as income, house hold expense and fixed asset accumulation of the poor client based on the “before and after” approach. Groups comprising of poor individuals and families are given equity capital/seed money and are encouraged to embark on small businesses according to their own liking. The groups are supervised for a period of a minimum of three years to ensure all individuals within the group are able to continue with their activities and ultimately, free themselves from the shackles of poverty and graduate into sustainable livelihood. Results indicate a significant nominal and real increase in average monthly income, increase in fixed assets and an increase in monthly average household expenditure before and after receiving zakat money. Results also demonstrate factors such as age of the entrepreneur, family size, type of business involved and the amount of zakat received to have a strong influence in determining the success of women entrepreneurs. Education level of the entrepreneur, on the other hand, does not seem to have significant impact on the success or failure of the entrepreneur. The findings from this paper shed light on the effectiveness of zakat-based approach in alleviating poverty and ensuring sustainable economic empowerment of the poor rural women.Keywords:  Zakat, Poverty alleviation, Entrepreneurship, BangladeshJEL Classification: I32, L26, Z12

scholarly journals Why some poor women in Bangladesh do not opt for micro-credit?

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 285-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
MA Khatun ◽  
MA Islam ◽  
S Majumder
Keyword(s):  
Rural Women ◽  
Poverty Alleviation ◽  
Poor People ◽  
High Interest Rate ◽  
Starting Time ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Poor Women ◽  
Poor Families ◽  
Poor Management ◽  
Micro Credit

Despite many positive impacts of micro-credit, some studies found that micro-credits are not reaching the extreme poor. This study is designed to find out the major causes why rural women do not join micro-credit programme. The present study conducted case studies on ten dropped out members, three non-NGO/MFI members and five NGO/MFI officials. The important causes for dropout are high interest rate, poor management of loan money by clients, management of default cases by NGO/MFI officials, starting time of repayments of instalment, improper utilisation of loan money, husband’s unacceptable interference, lack of training to utilise the money and difficulty in getting large amount of loan. On the other hand, worry of failure to repay the instalment, unwillingness to take loan and husband’s opposition are the main reasons for non-membership of micro-credit programmes. Tough membership criteria set by the NGOs/MFIs restricts the access to micro-credit option for many of the poor families. Though some NGOs/MFIs have some programmes to support the ultra poor, the coverage is limited. One important hurdle to overcome is the psychological poverty. There are many poor people who are not motivated to get involved in the process despite many NGOs/MFIs are operating at their doorsteps. Appropriate actions are needed to increase the coverage of the micro-credit programme to fight against poverty. NGOs/MFIs should focus not only on the profit but also on the true achievement in poverty alleviation. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i2.19927 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(2): 285-292, 2013

scholarly journals Impact of Microcredit on Rural Poverty Alleviation in the Context of Bangladesh

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 70
Author(s):  
Shakina Sultana Pomi
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Poverty Alleviation ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Rural Poverty ◽  
Living Standard ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Poor Women ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Women Borrowers

Microcredit and poverty alleviation have become the two sides of a coin as the role of microcredit on poverty alleviation is well accepted in the arena of economic development. This study is an attempt to analyse the impact of microcredit on poverty alleviation in the rural areas namely Hathazari, Mirsharai and Sitakunda upazilla (sub-units of district ) of Chittagong district, Bangladesh. A cross sectional survey was conducted on the rural part of these three upazillas. Data have been collected through a well-structured questionnaire from 100 microcredit-recipients/borrowers of Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) and Association for Social Advancement (ASA) - two giant microcredit providers in Bangladesh and from 50 non-borrowers of the study areas. Respondents were selected randomly. Tabular method was used to describe the data. Hypothetically, the outcomes were found significant resulted from chi-square test (X ² -test) and ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) without an exception for clothing expenditure. The study revealed that microcredit disbursed through BRAC and ASA, plays a dynamic role to reduce poverty in the study areas by income generating activities of the poor women borrowers and by improving their living standard. It is found from the study that microcredit has  positive impact on income, expenditure, condition of dwelling house, education, health and decision making ability of the poor women borrowers who spent at least five years in BRAC and ASA comparing to the non-borrowers.

Livelihood Promotion: Can the Collectives of NRLM Really Do It?

2021 ◽  
pp. 097300522110008
Author(s):  
H. S. Shylendra
Keyword(s):  
Poverty Alleviation ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Development Programme ◽  
Professional Support ◽  
Role Clarity ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Rural Livelihood ◽  
Poor Women ◽  
Policy Suggestions ◽  
New Generation

As a new generation development programme, the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) has sought to promote collectives of the poor women as the corner-stone of its strategy for livelihood promotion. The livelihood enhancement is meant to be actualised through a multi-dimensional strategy of livelihood protection and promotion. The paper hypothesised that despite their avowed goal, the collectives of women are bound to face enormous challenges in the livelihood promotion in the absence of an integrated approach more so in the context of neoliberalism. The findings of the paper corroborate the hypothesis to a great extent. Contrary to the theoretical visualisation of institutionalists, collectives of poor have faced challenges in their self-reliant emergence. The intervention has emerged more as a minimalist microfinance with inherent limitations regarding poverty alleviation. The paper concludes that the collectives of NRLM have a long way to go before they can emerge as strong livelihood promoting agencies. Sustained support to build the capacities of the fledging collectives, a reversal of the top–down elements of their multi-tier structure and the strong need for greater role clarity for the collectives along with professional support are some of the policy suggestions.

In-cash Transfers: from Passive to Empowered Beneficiaries in the Global South

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Katarina Pitasse Fragoso
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Poverty Alleviation ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Cash Transfers ◽  
Cash Transfer ◽  
Main Argument ◽  
The Public ◽  
Local Public Services ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Public Policy Decisions

Over the last few years, there has been an increase in discussions advocating in-cash programmes as a way to alleviate poverty. Indeed, this represents a leap forward in comparison to in-kind programmes. However, little progress, at least in developing countries, has been achieved in answering the question of how the state should transfer the means of redressing deprivation to those who are living in poverty. This article addresses this issue by challenging anti-poverty programmes through a social-egalitarian framework. My main argument starts from the perspective that in-cash transfers are a necessary but not sufficient mechanism for poverty alleviation. I acknowledge that cash alone does not guarantee the poor an equally active role in influencing the public-policy decisions that affect their lives. I then suggest a participatory device to complement the cash-transfer proposal in order to give institutional opportunities to the poor to decide, together with practitioners, what should be done at the level of local public services.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH MICRO CREDIT: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY

2021 ◽  
pp. 58-60
Author(s):  
T. Indumathi ◽  
G. Savaraiah
Keyword(s):  
Rural Women ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Rural Poverty ◽  
Poverty Line ◽  
Economic Empowerment ◽  
Political Empowerment ◽  
The Poor ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Micro Credit

The World Bank's Andhra Pradesh Rural Poverty Reduction Project supports the self helf groups of the women members. It promotes women's social, economic, legal and political empowerment to reduce poverty among the poor and the poorest of the poor. The important object of this article is to examine the impact of micronance on the socio economic empowerment of the rural women supported by the national reputed NGO- Rashtriya Seva Samithi (RASS). 184 women members of the SHGs promoted by Rasthriya Seva Samathi (RASS) an NGO which located in Tirupati town. 184 samples are selected randomly from 15 SHGs scattered throughout the Tirupati rural mandal (Taluk) from the area of the study have been considered to conduct the present research study. The study reveals that 87.71 percent of the sample women were below the poverty line before joining the SHGs. As a result of SHG, about 40 percent of the sample women crossed the poverty line. The highest intensive value indicates that more women have participated in social agitations for the welfare of the children and the society. The second highest intensity reveals that considerable numbers of women of SHGs have participated in the government sponsored schemes. The 1st point secured 3rd rank with total intensity value of 605 which status that the micro credit has resulted in increased social status and empowerment.

scholarly journals Sakofa: Evaluating Zakat Microfinance Program

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rakhmawati
Keyword(s):  
Poverty Alleviation ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Economic Empowerment ◽  
Poverty Index ◽  
Benefit Evaluation ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Microfinance Institution ◽  
Saving Behavior ◽  
Empowerment Program

Zakat microfinance (ZMF) is an alternative to the limitation of zakat institution and microfinance institution in empowerment program. To make sure the zakat microfinance is on the track and to boost its performance and its benefit, evaluation is needed. This study aims to do an operational evaluation of productive zakat program formed in the micro-economic empowerment program named Sakofa (Madrasah Ekonomi Dhuafa/ School for Economics of the Poor) of Dompet Dhuafa Yogyakarta. Primary data were gathered from Sakofa beneficiaries in Sleman, Bantul, and Gunung Kidul. The findings show that all monetary aspects are better after running the program. Using ADePT software, headcount index, poverty gap, poverty severity, Watts index, and the average time taken to exit poverty are lower after doing the program. Altruism and saving behavior are better after Sakofa Program is implemented. Unfortunately, mustahiq were lack of discipline and desire to be independent. The effectiveness of counseling material on religiosity is the lowest. In short, Sakofa Program has a good performance in improving their prosperity. Keywords: productive zakat, zakat microfinance, poverty alleviation, empowerment, poverty index

scholarly journals From Fome Zero to Bolsa Família: Social Policies and Poverty Alleviation under Lula

2006 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 689-709 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANTHONY HALL
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Social Policy ◽  
Poverty Alleviation ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
School Attendance ◽  
Conditional Cash Transfer ◽  
Cash Transfer ◽  
Systematic Evaluation ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Bolsa Familia

Under the administrations of Fernando Henrique Cardoso (1995–2002) and especially President Lula (2003–), conditional cash transfer (CCT) programmes have become adopted as mainstream social policy in Brazil. This follows a marked trend since the 1990s in Latin America towards the setting up of targeted safety nets to alleviate poverty. Lula consolidated and expanded CCTs, firstly under Fome Zero and later Bolsa Família, now the largest such scheme in the world. Its four sub-programmes (educational stipends to boost school attendance, maternal nutrition, food supplements and a domestic gas subsidy) benefit some 30 million of Brazil's poorest people, with a target of 44 million by 2006. Since 2003, spending on Bolsa Família has risen significantly to consume over one-third of the social assistance budget for the poorest sectors and it remained a flagship policy in the run-up to the presidential elections of October 2006. Although coverage of Bolsa Família is impressive, however, systematic evaluation of its social and economic impacts is still lacking. Evidence from other CCT programmes in Latin America suggests that positive results may be achieved in terms of meeting some immediate needs of the poor. However, there have been many implementation problems. These include poor beneficiary targeting, lack of inter-ministerial coordination, inadequate monitoring, clientelism, weak accountability and alleged political bias. Given the heightened profile of cash transfers in Brazil's social policy agenda, key questions need to be asked. These concern, firstly, the extent to which Bolsa Família does indeed contribute to poverty alleviation; and secondly, whether it creates greater dependence of the poor on government hand-outs and political patronage at the expense of long-term social investment for development.

scholarly journals Formulation of Empowering Poor Women with Pro-Poor Capacity Improvement Model

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Esy Nur Aisyah
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Poverty Alleviation ◽  
Family Welfare ◽  
Gender Analysis ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Frequency Table ◽  
Poor Women ◽  
Capacity Improvement ◽  
Depth Interviews

There are several reasons that lead to the importance of implementing a gender-oriented poverty alleviation program, one of which is that it can stimulate the emergence of empowerment. So the purpose of this research is to formulate the empowerment of poor women with the Pro-poor Capacity Improvement model in an effort to alleviate poverty in rural areas. The formulation of the model is based on the analysis of potentials, barriers, opportunities, threats, and policies in empowering poor women. Research in Gadingkulon Village, Dau District, Malang Regency was carried out through questionnaires, in-depth interviews, observations, Focus Group Discussions (FGD), and literature studies. The first stage uses quantitative analysis to present the frequency table, and the second stage uses qualitative analysis in gender analysis by Sara Longwee. This research resulted in a model for empowering poor women, which was designed in the Pro-poor Capacity Improvement ((PCIM) model which consisted of several components in the model in order to improve family welfare. These components consisted of the results of an analysis of potential, opportunities, obstacles, intervention in entrepreneurship, and welfare.The formulation of empowerment of poor women in Gadingkulon Village can be implemented in poverty alleviation efforts.

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