Understanding Local Realities of Microfinance and Women's Empowerment in Sri Lanka: The Effectiveness of the Samurdhi Program from the Perspective of Beneficiaries in a Rural Community

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 29-54
Author(s):  
Poornima Gayangani Wasana Jayawardana
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 133
Author(s):  
A. Rameez

The civil war in Sri Lanka had caused enormous impacts on the physical as well as infrastructure development of Eastern Province. Since the end of war in 2009, the province has immensely benefitted from the state and non-state sectors, particularly in the sphere of women empowerment in terms of their livelihood, education, health, etc. Although, many previous studies have delved into a number of post-war development interventions in the province, it failed to explore the dimension of women’s empowerment. Using both qualitative as well as quantitative methods, this study specifically explores the impacts of socio-economic development initiatives on women’s empowerment in the post war context. The findings show women received much support such as housing assistance, dry rations, livelihood assistance, micro-credit loans and psycho-social counselling from state and non-state sectors including NGOs, and UN organizations in the post war period in the Batticaloa district of Eastern Province and such supports have largely been effective as it contributed to women’s empowerment. Nevertheless, such supports have significantly dried up in recent times with priorities of state and non-state sectors being shifted. Thus, it is crucial for state and non-state sectors to focus on the empowerment of women in future, especially enhancing their capacity in terms of their knowledge and skills, and providing financial assistance for their self-employment on a soft loan basis or under grant schemes.


2010 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 347-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nirooja Thurairajah ◽  
David Baldry

There has been an increase in the occurrence of natural disasters and their impact has aroused the interest of many stakeholders to incorporate different strategies on disaster management. Although disasters may end many opportunities and lives, the lives of survivors do not cease in the disaster affected areas. The impact of natural disasters and the consequent partial reconstruction efforts have specifically presented many challenges to women. In this context, the main research investigates the empowerment of women during post disaster reconstruction particularly in Sri Lanka. Among the factors that influence women's empowerment, existing policies and frameworks is one of the important factors that can play a major role within the post disaster reconstruction in Sri Lanka. Hence, in order to gain an understanding of the existing framework of women's empowerment, this study investigates the national and international policies and frameworks that exist within the post disaster context in Sri Lanka. The study found that even though polices are gender neutral, they are not gender sensitive. In addition, it was found that having a single policy or framework for the whole country is unlikely to be a success, therefore, any frameworks should have room to be adopted to the local situation. Santruka Stichiniu nelaimiu padaugejo, taigi del ju poveikio daug interesu grupiu susidomejo, kaip nelaimems valdyti pasitelkti ivairias strategijas. Nors nelaimes atima daug galimybiu ir gyvybiu, išlikusieji tebegyvena nelaimes nuniokotose teritorijose. Del stichiniu nelaimiu poveikio ir po ju vykstant daliniams atstatymo darbams, ypač daug sunkumu kyla moterims. Atsižvelgiant i tai, pagrindiniame tyrime nagrinejamas didesniu teisiu suteikimas moterims vykstant atstatymo po nelaimiu darbams, ypač Šri Lankoje. Be kitu veiksniu, kurie daro itaka suteikiant didesnes teises moterims, svarbi yra politika ir gaires, o ju reikšme Šri Lankoje atstatant nelaimes nuniokotas vietoves gali būti didžiule. Taigi siekiant suprasti esamas didesniu teisiu suteikimo moterims gaires, šiame tyrime nagrinejama nacionaline ir tarptautine politika bei gaires, Šri Lankoje taikomos darbu po nelaimiu kontekste. Tyrime nustatyta, kad net jei politika pirmenybes neteikia ne vienai lyčiai, i lytims svarbius klausimus ji neatsižvelgia. Be to, nustatyta, kad visoje šalyje taikant viena politika arba gaires vargu ar galima tiketis sekmes. Taigi visose gairese reikia numatyti galimybiu jas priderinti prie vietines situacijos.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Saida Parvin

Women’s empowerment has been at the centre of research focus for many decades. Extant literature examined the process, outcome and various challenges. Some claimed substantial success, while others contradicted with evidence of failure. But the success remains a matter of debate due to lack of empirical evidence of actual empowerment of women around the world. The current study aimed to address this gap by taking a case study method. The study critically evaluates 20 cases carefully sampled to include representatives from the entire country of Bangladesh. The study demonstrates popular beliefs about microfinance often misguide even the borrowers and they start living in a fabricated feeling of empowerment, facing real challenges to achieve true empowerment in their lives. The impact of this finding is twofold; firstly there is a theoretical contribution, where the definition of women’s empowerment is proposed to be revisited considering findings from these cases. And lastly, the policy makers at governmental and non-governmental organisations, and multinational donor agencies need to revise their assessment tools for funding.


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