Empowering_JJ Women_NN2 Entrepreneurs_NN2 Through_II Microfinance_NP1 A_ZZ1 
Case_NN1 of_IO Rural_JJ Bangladesh_NP1 1Saida_FO Parvin_NP1 1_MC1 (_( 
Business_NN1 Program_NN1 ,_, Auckland_NP1 Institute_NN1 of_IO Studies_NN2 ,_, 
Auckland_NP1 ,_, New_NP1 Zealand_NP1 )_) saidap@ais.ac.nz_FO Abstract_JJ 
Womens_NP1 empowerment_NN1 has_VHZ been_VBN at_II the_AT centre_NN1 of_IO 
research_NN1 focus_NN1 for_IF many_DA2 decades_NNT2 ._. 
Extant_JJ literature_NN1 examined_VVD the_AT process_NN1 ,_, outcome_NN1 
and_CC various_JJ challenges_NN2 ._. 
Some_DD claimed_VVD substantial_JJ success_NN1 ,_, while_CS others_NN2 
contradicted_VVN with_IW evidence_NN1 of_IO failure_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB the_AT success_NN1 remains_VVZ a_AT1 matter_NN1 of_IO debate_NN1 
due_JJ to_TO lack_VVI of_IO empirical_JJ evidence_NN1 of_IO actual_JJ 
empowerment_NN1 of_IO women_NN2 around_II the_AT world_NN1 ._. 
The_AT current_JJ study_NN1 aimed_VVD to_TO address_VVI this_DD1 gap_NN1 by_II 
taking_VVG a_AT1 case_NN1 study_NN1 method_NN1 ._. 
The_AT study_NN1 critically_RR evaluates_VVZ 20_MC cases_NN2 carefully_RR 
sampled_VVN to_TO include_VVI representatives_NN2 from_II the_AT entire_JJ 
country_NN1 of_IO Bangladesh_NP1 ._. 
The_AT study_NN1 demonstrates_VVZ popular_JJ beliefs_NN2 about_II 
microfinance_NN1 often_RR misguide_VV0 even_RR the_AT borrowers_NN2 and_CC 
they_PPHS2 start_VV0 living_VVG in_II a_AT1 fabricated_JJ feeling_NN1 of_IO 
empowerment_NN1 ,_, facing_VVG real_JJ challenges_NN2 to_TO achieve_VVI 
true_JJ empowerment_NN1 in_II their_APPGE lives_NN2 ._. 
The_AT impact_NN1 of_IO this_DD1 finding_NN1 is_VBZ twofold_RR ;_; firstly_RR 
there_EX is_VBZ a_AT1 theoretical_JJ contribution_NN1 ,_, where_CS the_AT 
definition_NN1 of_IO womens_NN2 empowerment_NN1 is_VBZ proposed_VVN to_TO 
be_VBI revisited_VVN considering_II findings_NN2 from_II these_DD2 cases_NN2 
._. 
And_CC lastly_RR ,_, the_AT policy_NN1 makers_NN2 at_II governmental_JJ and_CC 
non-governmental_JJ organisations_NN2 ,_, and_CC multinational_JJ donor_NN1 
agencies_NN2 need_VV0 to_TO revise_VVI their_APPGE assessment_NN1 tools_NN2 
for_IF funding_NN1 ._. 
Keywords_NN2 :_: Women_NN2 Entrepreneurs_NN2 ,_, Empowerment_NN1 ,_, 
Microfinance_NP1 ,_, Rural_JJ Bangladesh_NP1 ._. 
INTRODUCTION_NN1 Microfinance_NP1 is_VBZ a_AT1 powerful_JJ and_CC potent_JJ 
instrument_NN1 of_IO social_JJ change_NN1 ,_, particularly_RR so_RR for_IF 
women_NN2 ._. 
Globally_RR ,_, microcredit_VV0 schemes_NN2 and_CC programs_NN2 serve_VV0 
almost_RR 20_MC million_NNO people_NN ,_, of_IO which_DDQ 74_MC percent_NNU 
are_VBR women_NN2 (_( Armendriz_NP1 and_CC Morduch_NP1 ,_, 2010_MC )_) ._. 
The_AT worlds_NN2 largest_JJT and_CC most_RGT successful_JJ microfinance_NN1 
institution_NN1 ,_, the_AT Grameen_JJ Bank_NN1 ,_, caters_VVZ to_II mostly_RR 
female_JJ clients_NN2 ,_, who_PNQS make_VV0 up_RP 90_MC percent_NNU of_IO 
their_APPGE client_NN1 base_NN1 ._. 
In_II the_AT hands_NN2 of_IO a_AT1 woman_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 microcredit_NN1 
loan_NN1 has_VHZ a_AT1 better_JJR chance_NN1 to_TO change_VVI not_XX just_RR 
her_APPGE life_NN1 ,_, but_CCB to_TO improve_VVI her_APPGE childrens_NN2 
opportunities_NN2 and_CC her_APPGE societys_NN2 prosperity_NN1 ._. 
Womens_NP1 empowerment_NN1 is_VBZ more_RGR social_JJ and_CC psychological_JJ 
rather_II21 than_II22 economic_JJ in_II its_APPGE characteristics_NN2 ._. 
In_II rural_JJ Bangladesh_NP1 ,_, along_II21 with_II22 the_AT poverty_NN1 
level_NN1 reductions_NN2 ,_, these_DD2 women_NN2 would_VM enjoy_VVI 
their_APPGE freedom_NN1 of_IO choice_NN1 and_CC mobility_NN1 ._. 
Typically_RR ,_, most_RGT rural_JJ Bangladeshi_JJ women_NN2 grow_VV0 up_RP 
with_IW limited_JJ access_NN1 to_II education_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ further_RRR 
hinders_VVZ their_APPGE capability_NN1 to_TO earn_VVI a_AT1 living_NN1 and_CC 
therefore_RR ,_, engage_VV0 in_II informal_JJ sector_NN1 work_NN1 including_II 
selling_VVG groceries_NN2 in_II roadside_NN1 shops_NN2 ,_, working_VVG as_RG 
domestic_JJ help_NN1 ,_, and_CC crushing_JJ bricks_NN2 (_( Asian_JJ 
Development_NN1 Bank_NN1 ,_, 2001_MC )_) ._. 
However_RR ,_, to_TO improve_VVI womens_NN2 conditions_NN2 in_II the_AT 
society_NN1 ,_, non-government_JJ organizations_NN2 (_( NGOs_NP2 )_) 
promote_VV0 microfinance_NN1 programmes_NN2 to_TO provide_VVI employment_NN1 
opportunities_NN2 ,_, skills_NN2 training_NN1 and_CC awareness_NN1 of_IO 
women_NN2 rights_NN2 ._. 
The_AT following_JJ discussion_NN1 introduces_VVZ a_AT1 research_NN1 that_CST 
probed_VVD key_JJ practices_NN2 of_IO entrepreneurial_JJ efforts_NN2 by_II 
Bangladeshi_JJ women_NN2 in_II the_AT local_JJ market_NN1 through_II 
microcredit_NN1 borrowing_NN1 ._. 
Current_JJ understanding_NN1 of_IO microcredit_NN1 practices_NN2 is_VBZ 
discussed_VVN followed_VVN by_II a_AT1 brief_JJ discussion_NN1 on_II the_AT 
methods_NN2 used_VVN for_IF the_AT study_NN1 ._. 
Finally_RR ,_, a_AT1 detailed_JJ discussion_NN1 of_IO the_AT results_NN2 
with_IW implications_NN2 precedes_VVZ recommendations_NN2 for_IF policies_NN2 
that_CST may_VM enrich_VVI the_AT practices_NN2 of_IO microcredit_NN1 ._. 
LITERATURE_NN1 REVIEW_NN1 Microfinance_NP1 and_CC Rural_JJ Women_NN2 
Entrepreneurs_NN2 in_II Bangladesh_NP1 Currently_RR we_PPIS2 see_VV0 the_AT 
major_JJ role_NN1 of_IO microfinance_NN1 programmes_NN2 as_CSA explicitly_RR 
targeting_VVG rural_JJ women_NN2 ,_, to_TO empower_VVI them_PPHO2 to_TO 
become_VVI small_JJ entrepreneurs_NN2 ._. 
There_EX are_VBR diverse_JJ motivations_NN2 for_IF pursuing_VVG the_AT 
cause_NN1 of_IO women_NN2 and_CC their_APPGE situations_NN2 ._. 
There_EX are_VBR many_DA2 arguments_NN2 that_CST women_NN2 are_VBR among_II 
the_AT poorest_JJT and_CC the_AT most_RGT vulnerable_JJ of_IO the_AT 
underprivileged_JJ ,_, and_CC thus_RR extending_VVG assistance_NN1 to_II 
them_PPHO2 should_VM always_RR be_VBI a_AT1 priority_NN1 ._. 
Additionally_RR ,_, others_NN2 believe_VV0 that_CST making_VVG investments_NN2 
towards_II increasing_JJ womens_NN2 skills_NN2 and_CC capabilities_NN2 
gives_VVZ them_PPHO2 the_AT power_NN1 to_TO make_VVI choices_NN2 of_IO 
their_APPGE own_DA and_CC important_JJ life_NN1 decisions_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ 
in_II turn_NN1 contributes_VVZ towards_II greater_JJR ,_, more_RGR holistic_JJ 
economic_JJ growth_NN1 and_CC development_NN1 ._. 
There_EX are_VBR documented_VVN cases_NN2 where_RRQ increase_NN1 in_II 
womens_NN2 resources_NN2 directly_RR leads_VVZ to_II the_AT welfare_NN1 of_IO 
family_NN1 ,_, especially_RR the_AT children_NN2 (_( Mayoux_NP1 ,_, 1996_MC 
;_; Kabeer_NP1 ,_, 2001_MC ;_; Hulme_NP1 and_CC Mosley_NP1 ,_, 1996_MC )_) ._. 
Also_RR ,_, increased_JJ access_NN1 to_TO finance_VVI for_IF women_NN2 is_VBZ 
representative_JJ of_IO an_AT1 opportunity_NN1 for_IF higher_JJR levels_NN2 
of_IO empowerment_NN1 (_( Mayoux_NP1 ,_, 2001_MC )_) ._. 
Microfinance_NN1 offers_VVZ women_NN2 the_AT chance_NN1 to_TO enter_VVI the_AT 
public_JJ sphere_NN1 as_CSA businesswomen_NN2 ,_, expanding_VVG their_APPGE 
roles_NN2 beyond_II the_AT traditional_JJ ones_NN2 of_IO a_AT1 housewife_NN1 
and_CC mother_NN1 and_CC letting_VVG them_PPHO2 become_VVI independent_JJ 
earners_NN2 of_IO livelihood_NN1 ._. 
Participation_NN1 in_II the_AT economy_NN1 also_RR leads_VVZ to_II greater_JJR 
involvement_NN1 of_IO women_NN2 in_II the_AT social_JJ and_CC political_JJ 
spheres_NN2 ._. 
Women_NN2 may_VM become_VVI strong_JJ enough_RR to_TO advocate_VVI for_IF 
radical_JJ changes_NN2 within_II their_APPGE communities_NN2 ,_, leading_VVG 
to_II improvement_NN1 in_II their_APPGE social_JJ situations_NN2 as_II31 
well_II32 as_II33 benefitting_VVG other_JJ girls_NN2 and_CC women_NN2 
around_II them_PPHO2 ._. 
Feminist_JJ organizations_NN2 most_RGT often_RR perceive_VV0 microcredit_NN1 
as_II an_AT1 instrument_NN1 in_II the_AT fight_NN1 for_IF womens_NN2 
independence_NN1 and_CC rights_NN2 (_( Loomba_NP1 ,_, 2014_MC )_) ._. 
Adding_VVG to_II this_DD1 ,_, is_VBZ the_AT prevalent_JJ belief_NN1 of_IO 
many_DA2 microfinance_NN1 institutions_NN2 in_II Bangladesh_NP1 that_CST 
women_NN2 frequently_RR turn_VV0 out_RP to_TO be_VBI more_RGR reliable_JJ 
and_CC trustworthy_JJ borrowers_NN2 ,_, who_PNQS are_VBR more_RGR likely_JJ 
to_TO return_VVI the_AT money_NN1 than_CSN their_APPGE male_JJ 
counterparts_NN2 ._. 
Link_VV0 to_II Other_JJ Sectors_NN2 Where_RRQ Women_NN2 Can_VM Use_VV0 
Microcredit_VV0 It_PPH1 seemed_VVD that_CST many_DA2 of_IO the_AT women_NN2 
were_VBDR largely_RR unaware_JJ of_IO the_AT myriad_NN1 of_IO training_NN1 
programmes_NN2 and_CC skills_NN2 enhancement_NN1 facilities_NN2 offered_VVN 
by_II the_AT NGOs_NP2 in_II the_AT area_NN1 ._. 
Raising_VVG this_DD1 awareness_NN1 ,_, so_CS21 that_CS22 the_AT women_NN2 
members_NN2 of_IO the_AT microcredit_NN1 schemes_NN2 could_VM fully_RR 
avail_VVI themselves_PPX2 and_CC gain_VVI maximum_JJ benefits_NN2 from_II 
these_DD2 income-generating_JJ activities_NN2 and_CC increase_VV0 their_APPGE 
knowledge_NN1 and_CC technical_JJ skills_NN2 ,_, would_VM lead_VVI to_II 
these_DD2 women_NN2 becoming_VVG self-sufficient_JJ and_CC are_VBR better_RRR 
able_JK to_TO take_VVI responsibility_NN1 for_IF themselves_PPX2 and_CC 
their_APPGE families_NN2 ._. 
Actively_RR participating_VVG in_II microfinance_NN1 programmes_NN2 did_VDD 
increase_VVI their_APPGE income_NN1 levels_NN2 ,_, but_CCB to_TO sustain_VVI 
this_DD1 growth_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 is_VBZ imperative_JJ for_IF these_DD2 
women_NN2 to_TO become_VVI skilled_JJ by_II training_NN1 in_II various_JJ 
fields_NN2 such_II21 as_II22 setting_VVG up_RP their_APPGE own_DA SMEs_NN2 (_( 
Small_NP1 and_CC Medium_JJ Enterprises_NN2 )_) ,_, where_CS handmade_JJ 
products_NN2 such_II21 as_II22 local_JJ handicrafts_NN2 ,_, pottery_NN1 ,_, 
household_NN1 items_NN2 ,_, etc._RA ,_, they_PPHS2 could_VM manufacture_VVI 
themselves_PPX2 could_VM be_VBI sold_VVN ._. 
Besides_II these_DD2 SMEs_NN2 ,_, there_EX are_VBR also_RR agricultural_JJ 
training_NN1 services_NN2 ,_, where_CS training_NN1 is_VBZ provided_VVN on_II 
setting_VVG up_RP and_CC managing_JJ poultry_NN and_CC dairy_NN1 farms_NN2 ,_, 
advanced_VVD ,_, technical_JJ knowledge_NN1 on_II crop_NN1 management_NN1 
and_CC farming_NN1 methods_NN2 is_VBZ imparted_VVN and_CC many_DA2 other_JJ 
valuable_JJ skills_NN2 are_VBR being_VBG taught_VVN to_II women_NN2 
participants_NN2 ,_, so_CS21 that_CS22 they_PPHS2 could_VM take_VVI charge_NN1 
of_IO earning_VVG their_APPGE own_DA livelihoods_NN2 and_CC improving_VVG 
the_AT status_NN1 of_IO their_APPGE families_NN2 ._. 
Skilled_JJ women_NN2 are_VBR more_RGR independent_JJ ,_, self-sufficient_JJ 
and_CC knowledgeable_JJ and_CC in_II turn_NN1 ,_, are_VBR far_RG more_RGR 
empowered_JJ than_CSN those_DD2 who_PNQS are_VBR simply_RR receiving_VVG 
credit_NN1 through_II microfinance_NN1 programmes_NN2 ,_, without_IW 
taking_VVG any_DD initiatives_NN2 to_TO improve_VVI their_APPGE skill_NN1 
set_NN1 ,_, to_TO secure_VVI their_APPGE future_NN1 (_( Amir_NP1 ,_, 2015_MC 
)_) ._. 
Microcredit_VV0 and_CC Some_DD Current_JJ Issues_NN2 A_ZZ1 joint_JJ study_NN1 
,_, conducted_VVN by_II the_AT researchers_NN2 Ruhul_VV0 Amin_NP1 ,_, Stan_NP1 
Becker_NP1 and_CC Abdul_NP1 Bayes_NP1 attempted_VVD to_TO explore_VVI the_AT 
extent_NN1 to_II which_DDQ the_AT level_NN1 of_IO poor_JJ womens_NN2 
participation_NN1 correlated_VVN with_IW how_RRQ empowered_VVD they_PPHS2 
would_VM become_VVI as_II a_AT1 result_NN1 ._. 
Empirical_JJ data_NN from_II different_JJ regions_NN2 of_IO rural_JJ 
Bangladesh_NP1 was_VBDZ employed_VVN in_II this_DD1 regard_NN1 ._. 
Quantitative_JJ data_NN collected_VVN from_II a_AT1 certain_JJ ,_, 
representative_JJ sample_NN1 of_IO the_AT female_JJ loan_NN1 borrowers_NN2 ,_, 
as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 qualitative_JJ data_NN taken_VVN from_II selected_JJ 
female_JJ loan_NN1 borrowers_NN2 of_IO five_MC NGOs_NP2 across_II rural_JJ 
Bangladesh_NP1 were_VBDR analysed_VVN for_IF this_DD1 study_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 comparison_NN1 was_VBDZ made_VVN by_II the_AT authors_NN2 between_II 
two_MC groups_NN2 one_MC1 ,_, consisting_VVG of_IO NGO_NP1 credit_NN1 
members_NN2 (_( who_PNQS were_VBDR regular_JJ borrowers_NN2 )_) from_II an_AT1 
NGO_NP1 programme_NN1 area_NN1 and_CC the_AT other_JJ mostly_RR comprising_VVG 
non-credit_JJ members_NN2 (_( those_DD2 who_PNQS had_VHD never_RR taken_VVN 
a_AT1 loan_NN1 )_) from_II non-NGO_NP1 programme_NN1 areas_NN2 ._. 
Womens_NP1 empowerment_NN1 was_VBDZ the_AT standout_NN1 feature_NN1 in_II 
this_DD1 comparative_JJ study_NN1 to_TO find_VVI out_RP whether_CSW the_AT 
variation_NN1 between_II membership_NN1 and_CC non-membership_NN1 led_VVN 
to_II any_DD differences_NN2 in_II the_AT level_NN1 of_IO empowerment_NN1 
in_II womens_NN2 socio-economic_JJ lives_NN2 ._. 
The_AT outcome_NN1 presented_VVD results_NN2 which_DDQ showed_VVD a_AT1 
positive_JJ connection_NN1 between_II microcredit_NN1 and_CC empowerment_NN1 
(_( Amin_NP1 ,_, Becker_NP1 and_CC Bayes_NP1 ,_, 1998_MC )_) ._. 
But_CCB a_AT1 current_JJ study_NN1 shows_VVZ only_RR 10_MC percent_NNU 
have_VH0 borrowed_VVN money_NN1 more_DAR than_CSN 8_MC years_NNT2 before_CS 
and_CC they_PPHS2 successfully_RR utilise_VV0 loan_NN1 amount_NN1 to_TO 
transform_VVI income_NN1 generating_VVG activities_NN2 ._. 
This_DD1 also_RR proven_VVN by_II our_APPGE quantitative_JJ research_NN1 
result_NN1 ,_, where_CS Noorjahan_NP1 and_CC Nurunnahar_NP1 claimed_VVD 
freedom_NN1 of_IO their_APPGE choice_NN1 of_IO their_APPGE small_JJ 
business_NN1 and_CC poultry_NN business_NN1 ,_, have_VH0 taken_VVN loan_NN1 
long_RR before_RT than_CSN others_NN2 ._. 
Microcredit_VV0 The_AT Way_NN1 Forward_RL A_ZZ1 quantitative_JJ study_NN1 
carried_VVN out_RP in_II the_AT mountainous_JJ Chitral_JJ region_NN1 ,_, 
bordered_VVN by_II Afghanistan_NP1 ,_, Pakistan_NP1 and_CC China_NP1 ,_, 
revealed_VVD that_CST there_EX was_VBDZ general_JJ agreement_NN1 among_II 
the_AT participants_NN2 and_CC respondents_NN2 about_II microfinance_NN1 
schemes_NN2 increasing_VVG their_APPGE personal_JJ self-confidence_NN1 and_CC 
courage_NN1 and_CC improving_VVG their_APPGE skills_NN2 set_VV0 and_CC 
self-_JJ worthiness_NN1 ._. 
The_AT statistics_NN also_RR revealed_VVD the_AT trend_NN1 that_CST 
microcredit_NN1 was_VBDZ positively_RR correlated_VVN with_IW higher_JJR 
literacy_NN1 levels_NN2 among_II the_AT women_NN2 and_CC an_AT1 increased_JJ 
awareness_NN1 about_II childrens_NN2 education_NN1 ,_, health_NN1 services_NN2 
,_, reproductive_JJ rights_NN2 and_CC facilities_NN2 and_CC also_RR legal_JJ 
entitlements_NN2 ._. 
The_AT respondents_NN2 also_RR reported_VVN a_AT1 marked_JJ increase_NN1 in_II 
their_APPGE awareness_NN1 about_II their_APPGE surroundings_NN2 and_CC 
environmental_JJ conservation_NN1 ,_, after_II participating_VVG in_II 
microcredit_NN1 schemes_NN2 ._. 
92%_NNU of_IO the_AT respondents_NN2 cited_VVD a_AT1 reduction_NN1 in_II 
poverty_NN1 levels_NN2 ,_, as_CSA they_PPHS2 started_VVD enjoying_VVG the_AT 
benefits_NN2 of_IO either_RR direct_JJ or_CC indirect_JJ economic_JJ 
progress_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 general_JJ atmosphere_NN1 of_IO peace_NN1 and_CC 
contentment_NN1 prevailed_VVN in_II their_APPGE families_NN2 and_CC 
households_NN2 (_( Amir_NP1 ,_, 2015_MC )_) ._. 
But_CCB the_AT empowerment_NN1 is_VBZ more_RGR social_JJ and_CC 
psychological_JJ in_II characteristics_NN2 ,_, than_CSN it_PPH1 is_VBZ so_RG 
economically_RR ._. 
Despite_II the_AT poverty_NN1 level_NN1 reductions_NN2 ,_, there_EX was_VBDZ 
still_RR no_AT long-_JJ term_NN1 ,_, sustainable_JJ action_NN1 plan_NN1 to_TO 
ensure_VVI that_CST these_DD2 women_NN2 would_VM keep_VVI enjoying_VVG 
their_APPGE improved_JJ financial_JJ status_NN1 ._. 
NGO_NP1 credit_NN1 members_NN2 were_VBDR well_JJ ahead_RL in_II all_DB 
three_MC abovementioned_JJ aspects_NN2 ,_, when_CS placed_VVN in_II 
comparison_NN1 to_II non-credit_JJ members_NN2 ._. 
On_II31 top_II32 of_II33 this_DD1 ,_, even_RR the_AT non-_JJ credit_NN1 
members_NN2 who_PNQS resided_VVD in_II NGO_NP1 programme_NN1 areas_NN2 
were_VBDR better_RRR empowered_VVN in_II the_AT authority_NN1 and_CC 
autonomy_NN1 indices_NN2 ,_, in_II comparison_NN1 to_II the_AT non-members_NN2 
who_PNQS lived_VVD in_II non-programme_JJ areas_NN2 ._. 
There_EX is_VBZ also_RR further_JJR indication_NN1 that_CST yearly_JJ 
income_NN1 ,_, house_NN1 type_NN1 and_CC education_NN1 level_NN1 ,_, etc._RA 
all_DB tend_VV0 to_TO be_VBI positively_RR associated_VVN with_IW the_AT 
autonomy_NN1 indices_NN2 (_( Bayes_NP1 ,_, 1999_MC )_) ._. 
And_CC there_EX is_VBZ of_RR21 course_RR22 ,_, the_AT association_NN1 of_IO 
the_AT duration_NN1 of_IO NGO_NP1 membership_NN1 and_CC non-_JJ 
agricultural_JJ professions/occupations_NN2 (_( the_AT long-term_JJ 
members_NN2 very_RG often_RR chose_VVD to_TO move_VVI beyond_II 
agricultural_JJ activities_NN2 and_CC chose_VVD other_JJ methods_NN2 of_IO 
earning_VVG their_APPGE livelihoods_NN2 )_) ._. 
In_II the_AT member_NN1 households_NN2 ,_, there_EX was_VBDZ a_AT1 
considerable_JJ decrease_NN1 in_II the_AT level_NN1 of_IO restrictions_NN2 
and_CC dominance_NN1 husbands_NN2 previously_RR practiced_VVD in_II the_AT 
household_NN1 affairs_NN2 ._. 
All_DB the_AT positive_JJ findings_NN2 in_II the_AT results_NN2 clearly_RR 
point_VV0 out_RP that_CST NGO_NP1 credit_NN1 programmes_NN2 in_II rural_JJ 
Bangladesh_NP1 are_VBR not_XX only_RR likely_JJ to_TO bring_VVI about_RP 
rapid_JJ economic_JJ improvement_NN1 in_II the_AT situation_NN1 of_IO 
women_NN2 ,_, but_CCB will_VM also_RR hasten_VVI their_APPGE empowerment_NN1 
in_II all_DB related_JJ areas_NN2 ._. 
The_AT characteristics_NN2 of_IO self-reliance_NN1 ,_, intelligence_NN1 ,_, 
practicality_NN1 ,_, confidence_NN1 ,_, assertiveness_NN1 ,_, and_CC 
higher_JJR awareness_NN1 of_IO their_APPGE rights_NN2 ,_, is_VBZ often_RR 
reported_VVN to_TO be_VBI evident_JJ in_II NGO_NP1 credit_NN1 members_NN2 (_( 
Bayes_NP1 ,_, 1999_MC )_) ._. 
For_IF most_DAT female_JJ borrowers_NN2 ,_, credit_NN1 is_VBZ much_DA1 
more_DAR than_CSN simply_RR access_VV0 to_II money_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 entails_VVZ women_NN2 escaping_VVG from_II the_AT vicious_JJ cycle_NN1 
of_IO poverty_NN1 ,_, and_CC achieving_VVG social_JJ ,_, political_JJ and_CC 
economic_JJ empowerment_NN1 within_II their_APPGE homes_NN2 ,_, villages_NN2 
and_CC ultimately_RR in_II their_APPGE countries_NN2 ,_, when_CS observed_VVN 
collectively_RR at_II the_AT national_JJ level_NN1 ._. 
Some_DD prime_JJ examples_NN2 are_VBR :_: Microcredit_NP1 has_VHZ played_VVN 
a_AT1 prominent_JJ and_CC crucial_JJ role_NN1 in_II rural_JJ Bangladesh_NP1 
in_II the_AT field_NN1 of_IO poverty_NN1 reduction_NN1 and_CC over_RG 40%_NNU 
of_IO this_DD1 could_VM be_VBI attributed_VVN to_TO microcredit_VVI 
programmes_NN2 and_CC the_AT initiatives_NN2 taken_VVN by_II NGOs_NP2 in_II 
this_DD1 regard_NN1 ._. 
The_AT combination_NN1 of_IO education_NN1 and_CC financial_JJ services_NN2 
programmes_NN2 in_II Nepal_NP1 and_CC elsewhere_RL in_II South_ND1 Asia_NP1 
,_, has_VHZ empowered_VVN women_NN2 ,_, to_TO ensure_VVI the_AT equal_JJ 
access_NN1 to_II food_NN1 ,_, medical_JJ care_NN1 and_CC schooling_NN1 ,_, 
for_IF female_JJ children_NN2 and_CC given_JJ women_NN2 a_AT1 stronger_JJR ,_, 
more_RGR involved_JJ role_NN1 in_II domestic_JJ ,_, familial_JJ decisions_NN2 
and_CC property_NN1 transactions_NN2 ._. 
An_AT1 anthropological_JJ study_NN1 conducted_VVN by_II Rabiul_NP1 Karim_NP1 
and_CC Chi_NP1 Kong_NP1 Law_NN1 (_( 2013_MC )_) used_VVD a_AT1 
cross-sectional_JJ design_NN1 to_TO collect_VVI data_NN from_II 342_MC 
randomly_RR selected_JJ participants_NN2 in_II five_MC northwest_ND1 
villages_NN2 of_IO Bangladesh_NP1 ._. 
The_AT study_NN1 examined_VVD the_AT influences_NN2 of_IO gender_NN1 
ideology_NN1 on_II womens_NN2 microcredit_VV0 participation_NN1 and_CC 
their_APPGE status_NN1 within_II the_AT household_NN1 in_II rural_JJ 
Bangladesh_NP1 ._. 
In_II the_AT findings_NN2 ,_, almost_RR 52_MC percent_NNU of_IO the_AT 
married_JJ women_NN2 were_VBDR microcredit_NN1 borrowers_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB ,_, in_II 81_MC percent_NNU of_IO the_AT recorded_JJ cases_NN2 ,_, 
the_AT financial_JJ dealings_NN2 and_CC the_AT transactions_NN2 of_IO the_AT 
loans_NN2 were_VBDR fully_RR controlled_VVN by_II the_AT husbands_NN2 of_IO 
these_DD2 women_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB quantitative_JJ survey_NN1 of_IO this_DD1 study_NN1 results_NN2 
indicated_VVN out_II21 of_II22 325_MC borrowers_NN2 ,_, 30_MC percent_NNU 
of_IO the_AT borrowers_NN2 husbands_NN2 held_VVD the_AT borrowed_JJ money_NN1 
._. 
This_DD1 variation_NN1 due_II21 to_II22 focused_JJ on_II specific_JJ 
geographic_JJ location_NN1 but_CCB our_APPGE study_NN1 covers_VVZ six_MC 
division_NN1 ,_, situation_NN1 differ_VV0 due_II21 to_II22 socio-_JJ 
cultural_JJ impact_NN1 ._. 
So_RR ,_, there_EX is_VBZ a_AT1 clear_JJ indication_NN1 here_RL that_DD1 
low_JJ socioeconomic_JJ status_NN1 influences_VVZ women_NN2 borrowing_VVG 
loans_NN2 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 conservative_NN1 and_CC constrained_JJ gender_NN1 
ideology_NN1 prevents_VVZ them_PPHO2 from_II fully_RR utilizing_VVG the_AT 
benefits_NN2 of_IO the_AT loan_NN1 ._. 
On_II the_AT other_JJ hand_NN1 ,_, the_AT liberal_JJ gender_NN1 ideology_NN1 
on_II the_AT husbands_NN2 parts_NN2 allow_VV0 them_PPHO2 to_TO borrow_VVI 
the_AT loans_NN2 in_II the_AT first_MD place_NN1 and_CC in_II some_DD 
exceptional_JJ cases_NN2 ,_, exercise_VV0 more_DAR control_NN1 over_II the_AT 
newly_RR acquired_VVN monetary_JJ resources_NN2 (_( active_JJ microcredit_NN1 
participation_NN1 )_) ,_, which_DDQ leads_VVZ to_II the_AT improvement_NN1 
of_IO their_APPGE status_NN1 as_II a_AT1 household_NN1 co-breadwinner_NN1 ._. 
One_MC1 of_IO the_AT major_JJ practical_JJ implications_NN2 of_IO this_DD1 
study_NN1 is_VBZ that_CST it_PPH1 discusses_VVZ and_CC analyses_VVZ under_II 
what_DDQ conditions_NN2 microcredit_VV0 intervention_NN1 can_VM contribute_VVI 
to_II improving_JJ womens_NN2 status_NN1 in_II rural_JJ Bangladesh_NP1 ._. 
This_DD1 kind_NN1 of_IO intervention_NN1 should_VM effectively_RR address_VVI 
patriarchal_JJ ideology_NN1 by_II producing_VVG an_AT1 environment_NN1 
where_RRQ people_NN may_VM have_VHI a_AT1 chance_NN1 to_TO contemplate_VVI 
and_CC rethink_VVI the_AT importance_NN1 of_IO womens_NN2 contributions_NN2 
and_CC roles_NN2 in_II society_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 is_VBZ quite_RG true_JJ that_CST despite_II the_AT husbands_NN2 
allowing_VVG the_AT women_NN2 to_TO borrow_VVI the_AT loans_NN2 ,_, they_PPHS2 
still_RR did_VDD not_XX feel_VVI comfortable_JJ enough_RR to_TO delegate_VVI 
them_PPHO2 with_IW the_AT responsibilities_NN2 of_IO handling_VVG the_AT 
financial_JJ resources_NN2 ,_, as_CSA they_PPHS2 believed_VVD the_AT money_NN1 
to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 source_NN1 of_IO power_NN1 and_CC authority_NN1 ,_, and_CC 
most_DAT of_IO the_AT men_NN2 in_II Bangladesh_NP1 have_VH0 clearly_RR not_XX 
transformed_VVN their_APPGE mind-set_NN1 enough_RR ,_, to_TO relinquish_VVI 
their_APPGE dominant_JJ positions_NN2 in_II the_AT household_NN1 and_CC in_II 
society_NN1 (_( Karim_NP1 and_CC Law_NN1 ,_, 2013_MC )_) ._. 
METHOD_NN1 The_AT research_NN1 targeted_VVD the_AT rural_JJ Bangladeshi_JJ 
women_NN2 ,_, exploring_VVG credit_NN1 activities_NN2 as_II a_AT1 
generator_NN1 of_IO womens_NN2 empowerment_NN1 and_CC investigated_VVD the_AT 
process_NN1 of_IO womens_NN2 empowerment_NN1 which_DDQ enhancing_VVG 
their_APPGE socio-economic_JJ status_NN1 ._. 
About_RG 82_MC percent_NNU of_IO women_NN2 lived_VVN in_II rural_JJ areas_NN2 
of_IO Bangladesh_NP1 in_II the_AT late_JJ 1980s_MC2 (_( Statistical_JJ 
Year_NNT1 Book_NN1 of_IO Bangladesh_NP1 ,_, 1998_MC ,_, BBS_NP1 )_) ,_, and_CC 
majority_NN1 of_IO the_AT borrowers_NN2 are_VBR from_II rural_JJ 
Bangladesh_NP1 ._. 
Hence_RR ,_, this_DD1 study_NN1 focused_VVN on_II women_NN2 entrepreneurs_NN2 
from_II rural_JJ areas_NN2 of_IO Bangladesh_NP1 ._. 
Although_CS the_AT qualitative_JJ approach_NN1 is_VBZ dominant_JJ in_II 
this_DD1 research_NN1 ,_, the_AT method_NN1 used_VVD was_VBDZ a_AT1 
combination_NN1 of_IO qualitative_JJ and_CC quantitative_JJ both_RR ,_, 
namely_REX the_AT triangulation_NN1 method_NN1 ._. 
Quantitative_JJ data_NN to_TO get_VVI demographic_JJ information_NN1 and_CC 
qualitative_JJ data_NN to_TO get_VVI womens_NN2 perceptions_NN2 of_IO in-_JJ 
depth_NN1 data_NN and_CC information_NN1 ._. 
Qualitative_JJ methods_NN2 are_VBR more_RGR appropriate_JJ and_CC effective_JJ 
ways_NN2 of_IO collecting_VVG data_NN when_CS researching_VVG women_NN2 's_GE 
needs_NN2 and_CC interests_NN2 (_( Boesveld_NP1 ,_, 1986_MC )_) ._. 
In_II complex_JJ social_JJ research_NN1 ,_, particularly_RR in_II 
pluralistic_JJ and_CC sensitive_JJ areas_NN2 ,_, qualitative_JJ approaches_NN2 
can_VM provide_VVI more_RGR reliable_JJ and_CC graphic_JJ accounts_NN2 (_( 
Orum_NP1 et_RA21 al_RA22 ,_, 1991_MC )_) ._. 
To_TO grapple_VVI the_AT long-term_JJ impact_NN1 ,_, we_PPIS2 need_VV0 to_TO 
base_VVI our_APPGE findings_NN2 on_II an_AT1 introspective_JJ approach_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 led_VVD us_PPIO2 to_TO use_VVI the_AT case_NN1 study_NN1 analysis_NN1 
method_NN1 for_IF deeper_JJR understanding_NN1 of_IO the_AT phenomenon_NN1 
of_IO empowerment_NN1 among_II Bangladeshi_JJ women_NN2 ._. 
In_II depth_NN1 interviews_NN2 were_VBDR carried_VVN out_RP with_IW 
selected_JJ representatives_NN2 from_II the_AT survey_NN1 samples_NN2 
following_VVG up_RP on_II the_AT responses_NN2 later_RRR from_II the_AT 
surveys_NN2 ._. 
A_AT1 thematic_JJ approach_NN1 was_VBDZ used_VVN to_TO guide_VVI the_AT 
interviews_NN2 but_CCB the_AT open-ended_JJ nature_NN1 of_IO the_AT themes_NN2 
allowed_VVD the_AT respondents_NN2 to_TO tell_VVI their_APPGE stories_NN2 
in_II a_AT1 very_RG unrestrictive_JJ manner_NN1 ._. 
Overall_RR twenty_MC interviews_NN2 were_VBDR carried_VVN out_RP in_II 
this_DD1 part_NN1 of_IO the_AT research_NN1 ._. 
The_AT stories_NN2 collected_VVN through_II these_DD2 interviewers_NN2 
were_VBDR reviewed_VVN by_II the_AT researcher_NN1 from_II audio_JJ tapes_NN2 
and_CC written_JJ reports_NN2 to_TO relate_VVI the_AT findings_NN2 in_II 
the_AT quantitative_JJ results_NN2 ._. 
The_AT critical_JJ analyses_NN2 are_VBR recorded_VVN in_II the_AT following_JJ 
sections_NN2 of_IO this_DD1 chapter_NN1 ._. 
The_AT technique_NN1 used_VVN in_II this_DD1 part_NN1 of_IO the_AT study_NN1 
is_VBZ standard_JJ case_NN1 study_NN1 analysis_NN1 ._. 
FINDINGS_NN2 Qualitative_JJ Analysis_NN1 -_- Content_JJ Analysis_NN1 After_II 
screening_VVG all_DB the_AT interviews_NN2 for_IF relevance_NN1 with_IW the_AT 
findings_NN2 in_II the_AT quantitative_JJ survey_NN1 the_AT researcher_NN1 
identified_VVN the_AT following_JJ 20_MC cases_NN2 that_CST were_VBDR 
found_VVN to_TO be_VBI significantly_RR relevant_JJ ._. 
The_AT age_NN1 group_NN1 of_IO these_DD2 samples_NN2 was_VBDZ similar_JJ as_II 
the_AT sample_NN1 was_VBDZ extracted_VVN from_II the_AT same_DA group_NN1 
that_CST responded_VVD the_AT quantitative_JJ survey_NN1 ._. 
And_CC the_AT rest_NN1 of_IO the_AT demographic_JJ details_NN2 remained_VVD 
the_AT same_DA ._. 
A_AT1 high_JJ proportion_NN1 of_IO the_AT borrowers_NN2 were_VBDR in_II the_AT 
middle_JJ age_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ is_VBZ between_II 25-45_MCMC years_NNT2 old_JJ 
,_, were_VBDR married_JJ women_NN2 and_CC family_NN1 consists_VVZ of_IO 4_MC 
members_NN2 ._. 
These_DD2 women_NN2 struggle_VV0 most_RRT to_TO meet_VVI up_RP their_APPGE 
daily_JJ needs_NN2 as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 provide_VV0 at_RR21 least_RR22 
reasonable_JJ life-style_NN1 to_II their_APPGE children_NN2 ._. 
So_RR ,_, they_PPHS2 ended_VVD up_RP to_II taking_VVG loans_NN2 from_II 
micro-_JJ credit_NN1 providers_NN2 to_TO break_VVI cycle_NN1 of_IO the_AT 
poverty_NN1 ._. 
Theme_NN1 Economic_JJ Empowerment_NN1 Freedom_NN1 of_IO Poverty_NN1 
Researcher_NN1 observes_VVZ in_II many_DA2 cases_NN2 where_RRQ the_AT 
average_JJ borrowing_NN1 amount_NN1 and_CC the_AT borrowing_NN1 period_NN1 
reflects_VVZ the_AT results_NN2 found_VVN in_II the_AT quantitative_JJ 
results_NN2 of_IO this_DD1 survey_NN1 ._. 
For_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, Mosammat_NP1 Nafisa_NP1 ,_, 55-year-old_JJ 
widow_NN1 borrowed_VVN Tk.1000_FO ,_, 2_MC years_NNT2 before_RT from_II 
Association_NN1 for_IF Social_JJ Advancement_NN1 (_( ASA_NP1 )_) said_VVD :_: 
Oh_UH Dear_UH ,_, after_CS my_APPGE only_JJ son_NN1 passed_VVD way_NN1 ,_, 
I_PPIS1 used_VMK to_TO beg_VVI door_NN1 to_II door_NN1 for_IF my_APPGE 
living_NN1 ._. 
When_CS I_PPIS1 heard_VVD from_II my_APPGE neighbour_NN1 about_II 
microcredit_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 went_VVD their_APPGE office_NN1 and_CC learn_VV0 
more_RRR about_II this_DD1 and_CC borrowed_VVD BDT_NP1 800_MC to_TO get_VVI 
a_AT1 certificate_NN1 on_II vet-_JJ vaccination_NN1 program_NN1 ._. 
Now_RT ,_, Im_VV0 working_VVG as_II a_AT1 veterinary_JJ nurse_NN1 going_VVG 
different_JJ villages_NN2 every_AT1 day_NNT1 and_CC not_XX begging_VVG for_IF 
living_VVG ._. 
Ability_NN1 to_TO Afford_VV0 Gifts_NN2 Changes_NN2 in_II the_AT spending_NN1 
abilities_NN2 is_VBZ a_AT1 very_RG common_JJ impact_NN1 that_CST we_PPIS2 
observe_VV0 in_II a_AT1 microcredit_NN1 recipients_NN2 life_NN1 ._. 
The_AT ability_NN1 to_TO spend_VVI more_DAR is_VBZ perceived_VVN among_II 
these_DD2 women_NN2 as_II an_AT1 indicator_NN1 of_IO empowerment_NN1 ._. 
Researcher_NN1 observes_VVZ similar_JJ feelings_NN2 in_II the_AT following_JJ 
case_NN1 ._. 
Nurunnahar_VV0 ,_, 50_MC years_NNT2 old_JJ ,_, mother_NN1 of_IO four_MC 
children_NN2 and_CC a_AT1 grandmother_NN1 is_VBZ very_RG happy_JJ with_IW 
her_APPGE poultry_NN business_NN1 ._. 
Without_IW any_DD educational_JJ qualification_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 is_VBZ 
running_VVG well_RR her_APPGE business_NN1 well_RR ,_, paying_VVG 
instalments_NN2 on_II time_NNT1 and_CC thinking_VVG to_TO buy_VVI a_AT1 
rickshaw_NN1 for_IF her_APPGE youngest_JJT son_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB her_APPGE happiness_NN1 lies_VVZ on_II other_JJ reason_NN1 ._. 
Now_RT she_PPHS1 can_VM give_VVI gifts_NN2 to_II her_APPGE parents_NN2 in_II 
an_AT1 occasion_NN1 like_II Eid_NP1 and_CC her_APPGE husband_NN1 can_VM not_XX 
restrict_VVI her_PPHO1 because_CS she_PPHS1 is_VBZ using_VVG her_APPGE own_DA 
business_NN1 profits_NN2 ._. 
Nurunnahar_NP1 said_VVD ,_, When_CS occasions_NN2 come_VV0 ,_, I_PPIS1 
used_VMK to_TO beg_VVI to_II my_APPGE husband_NN1 to_TO give_VVI me_PPIO1 
some_DD money_NN1 so_CS21 that_CS22 I_PPIS1 can_VM buy_VVI at_RR21 least_RR22 
few_DA2 things_NN2 for_IF my_APPGE parents_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB now_RT ,_, I_PPIS1 do_VD0 nt_XX even_RR inform_VVI him_PPHO1 ,_, 
I_PPIS1 go_VV0 to_TO market_VVI and_CC buy_VVI which_DDQ I_PPIS1 like_VV0 
most_RRT for_IF them_PPHO2 ._. 
Ability_NN1 to_TO Afford_VV0 Improved_JJ Livelihood_NN1 When_RRQ 
interviews_NN2 were_VBDR conducted_VVN ,_, researcher_NN1 noticed_VVD that_CST 
every_AT1 village_NN1 woman_NN1 were_VBDR wearing_VVG lipstick_NN1 ,_, 
they_PPHS2 were_VBDR smelling_VVG nice_JJ with_IW hair-oils_NN2 and_CC 
wearing_VVG colourful_JJ ribbons_NN2 ._. 
Researcher_NN1 thought_NN1 ,_, though_CS they_PPHS2 are_VBR going_VVGK to_TO 
meet_VVI an_AT1 outsider_NN1 (_( researcher_NN1 )_) ,_, they_PPHS2 felt_VVD 
to_TO be_VBI more_RGR presentable_JJ ._. 
But_CCB then_RT Momotaj_NP1 ,_, 37_MC years_NNT2 old_JJ microcredit_NN1 
precipitant_NN1 for_IF handicraft_NN1 business_NN1 ,_, informed_VVD 
researcher_NN1 that_CST after_II taking_VVG microcredit_NN1 ,_, women_NN2 
are_VBR self-_JJ dependent_JJ now_RT ._. 
They_PPHS2 have_VH0 their_APPGE freedom_NN1 of_IO choice_NN1 now_RT ,_, 
they_PPHS2 prefer_VV0 to_TO spend_VVI money_NN1 on_II their_APPGE own_DA 
cosmetics_NN2 and_CC they_PPHS2 choose_VV0 to_TO look_VVI presentable_JJ 
in_II31 front_II32 of_II33 others_NN2 ._. 
She_PPHS1 also_RR informed_VVD :_: ....._... now_RT my_APPGE daughters_NN2 
and_CC son_NN1 can_VM wear_VVI new_JJ dresses_NN2 on_II the_AT Eid_NP1 (_( 
Religious_JJ festival_NN1 )_) ._. 
Before_CS my_APPGE husband_NN1 used_VMK to_TO buy_VVI ,_, but_CCB now_RT 
we_PPIS2 all_DB go_VV0 to_TO market_VVI to_TO select_VVI our_APPGE dresses_NN2 
._. 
Research_NN1 found_VVD similar_JJ expressions_NN2 as_CSA above_II case_NN1 
in_II the_AT following_JJ case_NN1 ._. 
Overall_RR every_AT1 interviewee_NN1 agreed_VVD that_CST after_II taking_VVG 
loan_NN1 ,_, their_APPGE commodities_NN2 consumptions_NN2 have_VH0 
increased_VVN ._. 
Sobita_NP1 Mondol_NP1 ,_, uneducated_JJ 44_MC years_NNT2 Hindu_JJ 
vegetarian_JJ widow_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS bought_VVD a_AT1 cow_NN1 for_IF her_APPGE 
dairy_NN1 business_NN1 with_IW loan_NN1 said_VVD ,_, I_PPIS1 used_VMK to_TO 
sell_VVI milk_NN1 but_CCB hardly_RR can_VM have_VHI it_PPH1 ._. 
But_CCB now_RT Ive_VV0 two_MC cows_NN2 ,_, giving_VVG sufficient_JJ milks_NN2 
which_DDQ I_PPIS1 can_VM sell_VVI as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 consume_VV0 
me_PPIO1 and_CC family_NN1 ._. 
Sakhina_NP1 Khanam_NP1 also_RR said_VVD the_AT same_DA story_NN1 ,_, 30_MC 
years_NNT2 old_JJ ,_, uneducated_JJ married_JJ woman_NN1 and_CC mother_NN1 
of_IO two_MC said_VVD ,_, they_PPHS2 hardly_RR used_VMK to_TO buy_VVI fish_NN 
and_CC meat_NN1 for_IF their_APPGE meals_NN2 ,_, these_DD2 were_VBDR 
occasional_JJ meal_NN1 for_IF them_PPHO2 ._. 
But_CCB now_RT Sakhinas_NP2 family_NN1 can_VM have_VHI fish_NN ,_, even_RR 
big_JJ fishes_NN2 ,_, meat_NN1 e.g._REX beef_NN1 ,_, mutton_NN1 every_AT1 
week_NNT1 ._. 
As_CSA because_CS they_PPHS2 are_VBR doing_VDG well_RR with_IW their_APPGE 
potato_NN1 farming_NN1 business_NN1 which_DDQ they_PPHS2 started_VVD one_MC1 
and_CC half_DB years_NNT2 before_RT after_II taking_VVG loan_NN1 from_II 
Grameen_JJ Bank_NN1 ._. 
Jhorna_NP1 Roy_NP1 ,_, 38_MC years_NNT2 old_JJ mother_NN1 of_IO two_MC ,_, 
who_PNQS was_VBDZ well-off_JJ with_IW her_APPGE husband_NN1 who_PNQS used_VMK 
to_TO be_VBI an_AT1 office_NN1 Clark_NP1 in_II a_AT1 private_JJ company_NN1 
._. 
One_MC1 year_NNT1 before_CS when_CS her_APPGE husband_NN1 lost_VVD his_APPGE 
job_NN1 ,_, they_PPHS2 fell_VVD in_II deep_JJ sea_NN1 and_CC then_JJ 
Jhornas_NP2 graduation_NN1 degree_NN1 helped_VVD her_PPHO1 to_II 
established_JJ first_MD coaching_NN1 centre_NN1 in_II their_APPGE locality_NN1 
._. 
She_PPHS1 borrowed_VVD Tk.5000_FO ,_, bought_VVD few_DA2 mates_NN2 and_CC 
starts_VVZ her_APPGE teaching_NN1 village_NN1 school_NN1 going_VVG girls_NN2 
._. 
She_PPHS1 said_VVD that_CST now_RT parents_NN2 can_VM afford_VVI private_JJ 
tutor_NN1 for_IF their_APPGE children_NN2 ._. 
This_DD1 indicates_VVZ that_CST now_RT parents_NN2 can_VM afford_VVI 
private_JJ tutor_NN1 for_IF their_APPGE children_NN2 ._. 
Noorjahan_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 45_MC years_NNT2 old_JJ woman_NN1 from_II 
Chittogong_NP1 is_VBZ currently_RR a_AT1 member_NN1 of_IO the_AT trusty_JJ 
board_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 Nobel_NP1 Prize_NN1 winning_VVG Bank_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ originally_RR born_VVN a_AT1 village_NN1 called_VVN 
Jobra_NP1 in_II the_AT poverty_NN1 ,_, stricken_JJ area_NN1 of_IO 
Chittagong_NP1 ._. 
Her_APPGE father_NN1 was_VBDZ also_RR a_AT1 farmer_NN1 maintaining_VVG 
family_NN1 of_IO 8_MC children_NN2 ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ also_RR married_JJ at_II a_AT1 very_RG young_JJ age_NN1 
of_IO 13_MC and_CC has_VHZ had_VHN five_MC children_NN2 by_II the_AT age_NN1 
of_IO 25_MC ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ involved_JJ in_II a_AT1 pilot_NN1 project_NN1 by_II one_MC1 
of_IO the_AT micro-credit_NN1 dispensing_NN1 units_NN2 and_CC she_PPHS1 
changed_VVD her_APPGE fate_NN1 by_II utilizing_VVG the_AT money_NN1 and_CC 
developing_VVG her_APPGE small_JJ business_NN1 in_II the_AT locality_NN1 ._. 
All_DB her_APPGE five_MC children_NN2 go_VV0 to_II the_AT school_NN1 ,_, 
the_AT eldest_JJT just_RR completed_VVD her_APPGE graduation_NN1 from_II 
one_MC1 of_IO the_AT universities_NN2 with_IW a_AT1 study_NN1 loan_NN1 
support_NN1 from_II the_AT same_DA bank_NN1 that_CST Noorjahan_NP1 
originally_RR took_VVD support_NN1 from_II ._. 
Now_RT she_PPHS1 is_VBZ planning_VVG to_TO send_VVI her_APPGE eldest_JJT 
daughter_NN1 overseas_RL to_TO complete_VVI her_APPGE Master_NN1 degree_NN1 
._. 
This_DD1 is_VBZ another_DD1 extreme_JJ example_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 woman_NN1 
breaking_VVG out_II21 of_II22 the_AT cycle_NN1 of_IO disempowerment_NN1 and_CC 
age-old_JJ history_NN1 of_IO gender_NN1 based_VVN stratification_NN1 in_II 
Bangladesh_NP1 ._. 
Theme_NN1 Social_JJ Empowerment_NN1 Diversity_NN1 Business_NN1 success_NN1 
lies_VVZ on_II networks_NN2 now-a-days_RT ._. 
And_CC thats_VVZ why_RRQ mobile_JJ phones_NN2 are_VBR famous_JJ even_RR in_II 
rural_JJ villages_NN2 of_IO Bangladesh_NP1 ._. 
Hosne_NP1 Ara_NP1 Banu_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS is_VBZ producing_VVG vegetables_NN2 
for_IF outside_JJ market_NN1 thinks_VVZ knowing_VVG the_AT right_JJ price_NN1 
of_IO her_APPGE vegetables_NN2 is_VBZ one_MC1 of_IO the_AT key_JJ factors_NN2 
to_II her_APPGE business_NN1 ._. 
Four_MC years_NNT2 before_CS I_PPIS1 did_VDD not_XX know_VVI ,_, who_PNQS 
is_VBZ the_AT potential_JJ buyer_NN1 for_IF my_APPGE product_NN1 and_CC 
most_DAT of_IO the_AT vegetables_NN2 have_VH0 been_VBN destroyed_VVN ._. 
But_CCB now_RT ,_, I_PPIS1 even_RR borrowed_VVD another_DD1 Tk.2000_FO to_TO 
expand_VVI my_APPGE vegetable_NN1 garden_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 story_NN1 matched_VVN with_IW a_AT1 proxy_NN1 indicator_NN1 in_II 
quantitative_JJ survey_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ showed_VVD that_CST they_PPHS2 can_VM 
afford_VVI mobile_JJ phones_NN2 which_DDQ make_VV0 them_PPHO2 empowered_VVD 
and_CC change_VV0 their_APPGE life-styles_NN2 ._. 
Morgina_NP1 Begam_NP1 ,_, she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 25_MC years_NNT2 old_JJ 
widow_NN1 with_IW 5_MC minor_JJ children_NN2 (_( 3_MC sons_NN2 and_CC 2_MC 
daughters_NN2 )_) when_CS her_APPGE husband_NN1 died_VVD ._. 
The_AT husbands_NN2 death_NN1 was_VBDZ sudden_JJ and_CC accidental_JJ due_II21 
to_II22 snake_NN1 bite_NN1 one_MC1 night_NNT1 when_RRQ he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ 
coming_VVG back_RP from_II his_APPGE warehouse_NN1 at_II the_AT local_JJ 
rice_NN1 market_NN1 ._. 
Margina_NN1 suddenly_RR found_VVD herself_PPX1 in_II a_AT1 deep_JJ mass_NN1 
both_RR financially_RR and_CC socially_RR due_II21 to_II22 the_AT absence_NN1 
of_IO her_APPGE familys_NN2 principle_NN1 care_NN1 giver_NN1 ,_, the_AT 
husband_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 took_VVD about_II a_AT1 month_NNT1 for_IF Margina_NP1 to_TO have_VHI 
recuperated_VVN from_II this_DD1 situation_NN1 and_CC strategies_NN2 to_II 
survived_VVD fighting_VVG all_DB the_AT challenges_NN2 due_II21 to_II22 the_AT 
situation_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 really_RR could_VM not_XX gasp_VVI the_AT depth_NN1 of_IO the_AT 
challenges_NN2 and_CC ended-up_JJ working_VVG as_II a_AT1 maid_NN1 with_IW 
a_AT1 local_JJ family_NN1 where_CS the_AT husband_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 senior_JJ 
officer_NN1 in_II one_MC1 of_IO the_AT Grameen_JJ Bank_NN1 branches_NN2 in_II 
the_AT locality_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 had_VHD to_TO start_VVI working_VVG as_II a_AT1 maid_NN1 due_JJ 
to_TO lack_VVI of_IO her_APPGE skills_NN2 both_RR educational_JJ or_CC 
financial_JJ management_NN1 capacity_NN1 although_CS she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ 
coming_VVG from_II an_AT1 economically_RR sound_JJ background_NN1 ._. 
Margina_NN1 was_VBDZ barely_RR surviving_VVG with_IW the_AT income_NN1 and_CC 
couldnt_VV0 afford_VV0 to_TO provide_VVI education_NN1 or_CC proper_JJ 
clothing_NN1 and_CC nutritious_JJ food_NN1 for_IF her_APPGE 5_MC children_NN2 
._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ thinking_VVG of_IO looking_VVG for_IF 2nd_MD or_CC 3rd_MD 
job_NN1 when_CS her_APPGE current_JJ employer_NN1 ,_, the_AT Grameen_JJ 
Bank_NN1 officer_NN1 empathized_VVD with_IW her_PPHO1 and_CC advised_VVD 
her_PPHO1 to_II up-skill_NN1 with_IW one_MC1 of_IO the_AT programmes_NN2 of_IO 
Village_NP1 health_NN1 education_NN1 and_CC become_VV0 a_AT1 village_NN1 
health_NN1 worker_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 took_VVD the_AT advice_NN1 very_RG positively_RR and_CC devoted_JJ 
in_II re-training_VVG herself_PPX1 beside_II her_APPGE current_JJ 
employment_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 brought_VVD a_AT1 dramatic_JJ change_NN1 in_II her_APPGE life_NN1 
style_NN1 ,_, extending_VVG her_APPGE network_NN1 ,_, giving_VVG her_APPGE 
mobility_NN1 and_CC financial_JJ freedom_NN1 to_TO save_VVI and_CC invest_VVI 
in_II further_JJR projects_NN2 such_II21 as_II22 buying_VVG a_AT1 Rickshaw_NN1 
for_IF her_APPGE eldest_JJT son_NN1 who_PNQS was_VBDZ about_RPK to_TO 
become_VVI and_CC adult_NN1 that_DD1 year_NNT1 ._. 
Her_APPGE own_DA income_NN1 from_II the_AT work_NN1 as_II a_AT1 village_NN1 
health_NN1 worker_NN1 and_CC her_APPGE sons_NN2 additional_JJ income_NN1 as_II 
a_AT1 Rickshaw-puller_NN1 gave_VVD them_PPHO2 an_AT1 opportunity_NN1 to_TO 
save_VVI enough_DD to_TO further_RRR invest_VVI in_II a_AT1 shop_NN1 at_II 
the_AT local_JJ village_NN1 market_NN1 ._. 
Besides_RR all_DB these_DD2 gradual_JJ financial_JJ developments_NN2 
Margina_NP1 managed_VVD to_TO marry_VVI of_IO two_MC of_IO her_APPGE 
daughters_NN2 to_II respectable_JJ families_NN2 and_CC continued_VVD good_JJ 
quality_NN1 education_NN1 for_IF her_APPGE other_JJ children_NN2 ._. 
When_CS I_PPIS1 met_VVD this_DD1 woman_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 
proud_JJ mother_NN1 ,_, happy_JJ mother-in-law_NN1 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 woman_NN1 
full_JJ of_IO confidence_NN1 coming_VVG out_II21 of_II22 financial_JJ 
stability_NN1 ,_, enjoying_VVG a_AT1 respectable_JJ status_NN1 in_II her_APPGE 
locality_NN1 ._. 
Status_NN1 &; Self-Esteem_NN1 Selina_NP1 Banu_NP1 is_VBZ doing_VDG very_RG 
well_RR in_II her_APPGE poultry_NN business_NN1 ,_, her_APPGE husband_NN1 
and_CC in-laws_NN2 ask_VV0 her_PPHO1 before_II spending_VVG money_NN1 ,_, 
even_RR they_PPHS2 show_VV0 respect_NN1 too_RR but_CCB she_PPHS1 busted_VVD 
into_II tears_NN2 when_RRQ I_PPIS1 ask_VV0 how_RGQ often_RR you_PPY or_CC 
your_APPGE family_NN1 members_NN2 visits_VVZ doctor_NN1 ._. 
Five_MC years_NNT2 before_RT ,_, she_PPHS1 lost_VVD her_APPGE first_MD son_NN1 
,_, because_CS on_II that_DD1 time_NNT1 they_PPHS2 were_VBDR not_XX able_JK 
to_TO go_VVI to_II doctor_NN1 to_TO do_VDI treatment_NN1 for_IF him_PPHO1 ._. 
Her_APPGE son_NN1 had_VHD typhoid_JJ and_CC passed_VVD away_RL without_IW 
medicine_NN1 ._. 
Their_APPGE situation_NN1 has_VHZ changed_VVN now_RT ,_, both_DB2 are_VBR 
working_VVG and_CC can_VM have_VHI access_NN1 to_II treatment_NN1 ._. 
Even_RR respondents_NN2 agreed_VVD that_CST microcredit_VV0 boost_VV0 
their_APPGE life-styles_NN2 ,_, when_CS they_PPHS2 have_VH0 been_VBN asked_VVN 
whether_CSW their_APPGE husbands_NN2 behaviour_NN1 towards_II them_PPHO2 ,_, 
they_PPHS2 responded_VVD positively_RR ._. 
Means_VVZ their_APPGE husbands_NN2 are_VBR treating_VVG them_PPHO2 with_IW 
respect_NN1 ,_, listen_VV0 them_PPHO2 often_RR as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 
household_NN1 decisions_NN2 they_PPHS2 take_VV0 jointly_RR ._. 
Konokchapa_NN1 ,_, 39_MC years_NNT2 old_JJ mother_NN1 of_IO three_MC who_PNQS 
is_VBZ running_JJ tea-stall_NN1 near_II21 to_II22 local_JJ market_NN1 said_VVD 
,_, now_RT my_APPGE husband_NN1 lends_VVZ me_PPIO1 hands_NN2 when_RRQ I_PPIS1 
need_VV0 for_IF my_APPGE tea-stall_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 understood_VVD that_CST the_AT decision_NN1 I_PPIS1 took_VVD to_TO 
borrow_VVI money_NN1 and_CC open_VVI this_DD1 shop_NN1 was_VBDZ good_JJ 
one_MC1 year_NNT1 before_RT ._. 
Now_RT even_RR sometimes_RT he_PPHS1 asks_VVZ me_PPIO1 whether_CSW I_PPIS1 
wish_VV0 to_TO watch_VVI Play_NN1 (_( Jatra_NP1 )_) or_CC go_VV0 for_IF 
shopping_VVG to_II outside_JJ locality_NN1 ._. 
Similar_JJ scenario_NN1 was_VBDZ assessed_VVN in_II quantitative_JJ survey_NN1 
where_RRQ borrowers_NN2 perception_NN1 of_IO empowerment_NN1 life-style_NN1 
changes_NN2 and_CC we_PPIS2 have_VH0 seen_VVN that_CST their_APPGE status_NN1 
within_II the_AT family_NN1 has_VHZ increased_VVN ._. 
We_PPIS2 also_RR observed_VVD evidences_NN2 of_IO secondary_JJ control_NN1 
over_II the_AT finances_NN2 reflected_VVN in_II our_APPGE earlier_JJR 
results_NN2 in_II our_APPGE interviews_NN2 ._. 
Sahara_NP1 Khatun_NP1 ,_, 35_MC years_NNT2 divorcee_NN1 living_VVG with_IW 
her_APPGE brothers_NN2 family_NN1 with_IW her_APPGE two_MC daughters_NN2 ._. 
Initially_RR ,_, her_APPGE sister-in-law_NN1 used_VMK to_TO treat_VVI 
her_PPHO1 like_II maid_NN1 ,_, had_VHD to_TO do_VDI household_NN1 works_VVZ 
._. 
On_II31 top_II32 of_II33 that_DD1 her_APPGE daughters_NN2 used_VMK to_TO 
be_VBI treated_VVN badly_RR by_II her_APPGE nieces_NN2 and_CC nephews_NN2 ._. 
Then_RT Sahara_NP1 decided_VVD to_TO be_VBI self-dependent_JJ and_CC took_VVD 
loan_NN1 to_TO start_VVI her_APPGE own_DA poultry_NN farm_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB the_AT financial_JJ matter_NN1 controlled_VVN by_II her_APPGE 
brother_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 refers_VVZ that_CST even_CS21 though_CS22 she_PPHS1 borrowed_VVD 
to_TO be_VBI self-dependent_JJ but_CCB her_APPGE brother_NN1 has_VHZ the_AT 
control_NN1 over_II money_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB another_DD1 story_NN1 strikes_VVZ me_PPIO1 very_RG much_RR which_DDQ 
Researcher_NN1 heard_VVN from_II Umorunness_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS is_VBZ also_RR 
works_VVZ as_CSA Health_NN1 worker_NN1 on_II BRACs_NP2 Health_NN1 &; 
Population_NN1 Department_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, there_EX are_VBR some_DD good_JJ and_CC bad_JJ on_II 
her_APPGE business_NN1 and_CC to_TO meet_VVI up_RP the_AT installments_NN2 ,_, 
she_PPHS1 had_VHD to_TO sell_VVI most_DAT of_IO her_APPGE ornaments_NN2 
which_DDQ she_PPHS1 has_VHZ got_VVN on_II her_APPGE wedding_NN1 time_NNT1 ._. 
In_II survey_NN1 ,_, we_PPIS2 have_VH0 noticed_VVN that_CST their_APPGE 
ornaments_NN2 value_NN1 decreases_VVZ ._. 
We_PPIS2 can_VM not_XX be_VBI sure_JJ of_IO the_AT reason_NN1 for_IF this_DD1 
decrease_NN1 but_CCB perhaps_RR the_AT extra_JJ investment_NN1 needed_VVD 
to_TO run_VVI their_APPGE microcredit_NN1 initiative_NN1 might_VM have_VHI 
been_VBN gathered_VVN from_II selling_VVG off_RP these_DD2 ornaments_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB the_AT overall_JJ decrease_NN1 in_II their_APPGE value_NN1 of_IO 
ornaments_NN2 shows_VVZ that_CST although_CS the_AT spending_NN1 power_NN1 
increases_VVZ the_AT priorities_NN2 in_II spending_VVG changes_NN2 as_II 
the_AT income_NN1 increases_VVZ in_II the_AT women_NN2 of_IO Bangladesh_NP1 
._. 
They_PPHS2 might_VM be_VBI feeling_VVG more_RRR secured_VVN after_II 
starting_VVG to_TO earn_VVI and_CC thus_RR are_VBR less_RGR interested_JJ 
to_TO invest_VVI in_II ornaments_NN2 in_II the_AT form_NN1 of_IO secured_JJ 
savings_NN2 ._. 
Microcredit_NP1 increased_VVD their_APPGE respect_NN1 on_II their_APPGE 
in-laws_NN2 too_RR ._. 
Nasima_NN1 21_MC years_NNT2 old_JJ newlywed_NN1 bride_NN1 was_VBDZ 
deprived_VVN by_II their_APPGE in-_JJ laws_NN2 ._. 
She_PPHS1 barely_RR can_VM go_VVI out_RP with_IW her_APPGE husband_NN1 ,_, 
because_CS most_DAT of_IO the_AT time_NNT1 she_PPHS1 used_VMK to_TO be_VBI 
engaged_VVN with_IW household_NN1 works_VVZ ._. 
She_PPHS1 is_VBZ high_JJ school_NN1 graduate_NN1 and_CC has_VHZ good_JJ 
scene_NN1 of_IO cosmetics_NN2 and_CC dresses_NN2 ._. 
So_RR ,_, she_PPHS1 decided_VVD to_TO open_VVI a_AT1 beauty_NN1 parlor_NN1 
next_II21 to_II22 their_APPGE residence_NN1 ._. 
Within_II six_MC months_NNT2 ,_, her_APPGE business_NN1 becomes_VVZ 
profitable_JJ business_NN1 ._. 
Because_CS there_EX were_VBDR no_AT parlors_NN2 around_II that_DD1 area_NN1 
,_, so_RR when_CS village_NN1 women_NN2 need_VV0 make-_NN1 up_RP or_CC 
hair-do_NN1 on_II their_APPGE wedding_NN1 day_NNT1 ,_, Nasimas_NP2 
Sundoree_NN1 parlor_NN1 in_II only_RR one_MC1 destination_NN1 ._. 
In_II survey_NN1 ,_, we_PPIS2 assessed_VVD microcredit_NN1 borrowers_NN2 
perception_NN1 of_IO empowerment_NN1 life-style_NN1 changes_NN2 and_CC 
we_PPIS2 have_VH0 seen_VVN that_CST their_APPGE status/respect_NN1 within_II 
the_AT family_NN1 has_VHZ increased_VVN ._. 
Persistence_NN1 of_IO Patriarchy_NP1 Shikha_NP1 Rani_NP1 ,_, Pottery_NN1 
maker_NN1 borrowed_VVD money_NN1 from_II microcredit_NN1 provider_NN1 long_JJ 
back_NN1 and_CC she_PPHS1 is_VBZ doing_VDG well_RR in_II her_APPGE 
business_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ telling_VVG her_APPGE story_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 
started_VVD crying_NN1 :_: Didi_NP1 (_( Sister_NN1 )_) what_DDQ can_VM I_PPIS1 
say_VVI ,_, how_RRQ can_VM I_PPIS1 say_VVI that_CST my_APPGE husband_NN1 
still_RR not_XX allows_VVZ me_PPIO1 for_IF delivery_NN1 or_CC buying_VVG 
raw_JJ materials_NN2 for_IF my_APPGE pottery_NN1 business_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 is_VBZ the_AT lack_NN1 of_IO control_NN1 over_II business_NN1 
decisions_NN2 which_DDQ have_VH0 been_VBN found_VVN in_II quantitative_JJ 
survey_NN1 as_RR21 well_RR22 ._. 
There_EX are_VBR evidences_NN2 about_II the_AT freedom_NN1 of_IO movement_NN1 
over_II the_AT microcredit_NN1 borrowers_NN2 although_CS they_PPHS2 are_VBR 
engaging_VVG in_II income_NN1 generating_VVG activities_NN2 ._. 
Madhobi_NP1 Lata_NP1 ,_, unmarried_JJ 25_MC years_NNT2 girl_NN1 took_VVD 
loan_NN1 to_TO buy_VVI a_AT1 sewing_NN1 machine_NN1 and_CC making_VVG 
dresses_NN2 for_IF other_JJ village_NN1 women_NN2 informed_VVD that_CST 
she_PPHS1 is_VBZ not_XX allowed_VVN participating_VVG any_DD social_JJ 
activities_NN2 e.g._REX Durga-Puja_NP1 or_CC Janmastamis_NP1 dance_NN1 or_CC 
singing_VVG competitions_NN2 ._. 
Because_CS her_APPGE father_NN1 thinks_VVZ if_CS she_PPHS1 participates_VVZ 
,_, she_PPHS1 wont_JJ get_VV0 groom_VV0 to_TO get_VVI married_VVN with_IW ._. 
Here_RL we_PPIS2 can_VM see_VVI no_AT freedom_NN1 of_IO movement_NN1 due_II21 
to_II22 socio-cultural_JJ barriers_NN2 which_DDQ has_VHZ been_VBN 
indicated_VVN on_II quantitative_JJ survey_NN1 ._. 
Kulsum_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 25_MC years_NNT2 old_JJ young_JJ woman_NN1 from_II 
Kustia_NP1 was_VBDZ born_VVN in_II a_AT1 farmers_NN2 family_NN1 who_PNQS 
was_VBDZ involved_JJ in_II producing_VVG tobacco_NN1 leaves_VVZ in_II 
their_APPGE agricultural_JJ farm_NN1 ._. 
Since_CS birth_NN1 she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ forced_VVN to_TO be_VBI malnourished_JJ 
due_JJ to_TO lack_VVI of_IO her_APPGE fathers_NN2 ability_NN1 to_TO 
provide_VVI sufficient_JJ food_NN1 for_IF a_AT1 family_NN1 of_IO 4_MC 
sisters_NN2 and_CC 2_MC brothers_NN2 ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ married_JJ to_II a_AT1 local_JJ rickshaw-puller_NN1 at_II 
an_AT1 early_JJ age_NN1 of_IO 14_MC and_CC had_VHD her_APPGE first_MD 
child_NN1 at_II the_AT age_NN1 of_IO 15_MC ._. 
By_II 25_MC she_PPHS1 has_VHZ had_VHN 5_MC children_NN2 ,_, all_DB of_IO 
them_PPHO2 are_VBR similarly_RR malnourished_JJ ,_, none_PN of_IO the_AT 4_MC 
daughters_NN2 goes_VVZ to_II school_NN1 alike_JJ Kulsum_NN1 and_CC her_APPGE 
only_JJ son_NN1 is_VBZ treated_VVN like_II a_AT1 king_NN1 within_II the_AT 
household_NN1 ._. 
So_RR ,_, Kulsum_NP1 is_VBZ living_VVG her_APPGE life_NN1 and_CC covered_VVD 
a_AT1 full-cycle_NN1 giving_VVG birth_NN1 to_II a_AT1 next_MD generation_NN1 
women_NN2 in_II Bangladesh_NP1 whos_NN2 fate_NN1 remains_VVZ the_AT same_DA 
as_CSA their_APPGE mother_NN1 ,_, of_IO being_VBG treated_VVN as_II a_AT1 
second-class_JJ citizen_NN1 of_IO the_AT society_NN1 ._. 
Theme_NN1 Political_JJ Empowerment_NN1 The_AT rural_JJ women_NN2 borrowers_NN2 
in_II Bangladesh_NP1 claims_VVZ that_CST they_PPHS2 have_VH0 been_VBN 
empowered_VVN in_II many_DA2 of_IO their_APPGE responses_NN2 ,_, their_APPGE 
involvement_NN1 in_II the_AT social_JJ clubs_NN2 are_VBR very_RG limited_JJ 
and_CC this_DD1 is_VBZ reflected_VVN in_II the_AT following_JJ case_NN1 ._. 
Even_RR her_APPGE mother_NN1 ,_, Maya_NP1 Saha_NP1 also_RR expresses_VVZ 
her_APPGE depression_NN1 that_CST she_PPHS1 never_RR ever_RR allowed_VVN to_TO 
cast_VVI vote_NN1 independently_RR ._. 
Her_APPGE husband_NN1 Mohon_NP1 Saha_NP1 decides_VVZ which_DDQ political_JJ 
party_NN1 she_PPHS1 should_VM cast_VVI vote_NN1 for_IF ._. 
Summary_NN1 of_IO Findings_NN2 Social_JJ Status_NN1 The_AT change_NN1 in_II 
lifestyles_NN2 of_IO the_AT women_NN2 in_II our_APPGE cases_NN2 is_VBZ 
evident_JJ and_CC correlates_VVZ with_IW our_APPGE findings_NN2 in_II the_AT 
quantitative_JJ section_NN1 of_IO this_DD1 study_NN1 ._. 
Still_RR the_AT changes_NN2 in_II empowerment_NN1 are_VBR more_RGR evident_JJ 
as_CSA perceived_VVN rather_II21 than_II22 actual_JJ empowerment_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 is_VBZ expected_VVN to_TO have_VHI been_VBN reflected_VVN in_II 
their_APPGE lives_NN2 as_II the_AT women_NN2 in_II these_DD2 case_NN1 
starts_VVZ to_TO play_VVI their_APPGE changed_JJ role_NN1 in_II the_AT 
society_NN1 as_CSA new_JJ income_NN1 earners_NN2 ._. 
Still_RR these_DD2 women_NN2 have_VH0 expressed_VVN serious_JJ concern_NN1 
about_II their_APPGE status_NN1 in_II the_AT society_NN1 or_CC in_II some_DD 
cases_NN2 even_RR with_IW in_II their_APPGE family_NN1 ._. 
In_II Noorjahans_NP2 example_NN1 she_PPHS1 has_VHZ earned_VVN her_APPGE 
status_NN1 in_II the_AT society_NN1 through_II microcredit_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 has_VHZ broken_VVN the_AT chain_NN1 of_IO the_AT womens_NN2 
life-cycle_NN1 through_II micro-_JJ credit_NN1 which_DDQ brings_VVZ 
financial_JJ freedom_NN1 in_II her_APPGE life_NN1 ._. 
After_II getting_VVG financial_JJ freedom_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 has_VHZ got_VVN 
the_AT freedom_NN1 of_IO mobility_NN1 in_II the_AT community_NN1 as_II31 
well_II32 as_II33 outside_RL the_AT village_NN1 which_DDQ creates_VVZ 
networking_NN1 and_CC enhances_VVZ her_APPGE social_JJ status_NN1 ._. 
On_II the_AT other_JJ hand_NN1 ,_, Kulsum_NP1 has_VHZ nt_XX taken_VVN 
micro-credit_NN1 and_CC was_VBDZ fulfilling_VVG the_AT life-cycle_NN1 due_JJ 
to_TO lack_VVI of_IO financial_JJ freedom_NN1 ._. 
And_CC that_DD1 financial_JJ restriction_NN1 did_VDD nt_XX allow_VVI 
getting_VVG proper_JJ education_NN1 to_II her_PPHO1 as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 
her_APPGE daughters_NN2 which_DDQ leads_VVZ to_II children_NN2 malnourish_VV0 
._. 
So_RR ,_, Kulsum_NP1 has_VHZ nt_XX got_VVN social_JJ status_NN1 because_CS 
she_PPHS1 has_VHZ nt_XX got_VVN the_AT freedom_NN1 of_IO mobility_NN1 in_II 
the_AT community_NN1 and_CC outside_II the_AT village_NN1 ._. 
So_RR ,_, we_PPIS2 need_VV0 to_TO investigate_VVI the_AT reason_NN1 for_IF 
this_DD1 leakage_NN1 of_IO empowering_JJ activities_NN2 ._. 
We_PPIS2 have_VH0 to_TO realize_VVI that_CST the_AT extra_JJ income_NN1 
those_DD2 are_VBR being_VBG generated_VVN due_II21 to_II22 these_DD2 
microcredit_VV0 activities_NN2 are_VBR not_XX independent_JJ of_IO the_AT 
economy_NN1 and_CC not_XX even_RR out_II21 of_II22 their_APPGE family_NN1 
structure_NN1 ._. 
Thus_RR ,_, the_AT benefits_NN2 are_VBR trickling_VVG towards_II the_AT 
male_JJ counterpart_NN1 of_IO the_AT women_NN2 borrowers_NN2 of_IO 
microcredit_NN1 ._. 
And_CC the_AT male_JJ beneficiaries_NN2 fail_VV0 to_TO realize_VVI the_AT 
role_NN1 of_IO women_NN2 when_CS they_PPHS2 also_RR claim_VV0 the_AT 
benefits_NN2 out_II21 of_II22 these_DD2 initiatives_NN2 ._. 
They_PPHS2 are_VBR perhaps_RR being_VBG equally_RR empowered_VVN and_CC the_AT 
inequality_NN1 between_II these_DD2 two_MC genders_NN2 remains_VVZ 
unchanged_JJ ._. 
Details_NN2 of_IO this_DD1 phenomenon_NN1 will_VM be_VBI discussed_VVN 
further_RRR in_II the_AT following_JJ chapter_NN1 of_IO this_DD1 thesis_NN1 
and_CC will_VM be_VBI thoroughly_RR investigated_VVN comparing_VVG the_AT 
concept_NN1 with_IW the_AT current_JJ literature_NN1 ._. 
CONCLUSION_NN1 The_AT findings_NN2 and_CC evidence_NN1 in_II the_AT 
existing_JJ literature_NN1 available_JJ on_II microcredit_NN1 and_CC women_NN2 
empowerment_NN1 ,_, indicate_VV0 an_AT1 apparently_RR positive_JJ picture_NN1 
on_II how_RRQ these_DD2 initiatives_NN2 have_VH0 succeeded_VVN in_II 
improving_VVG the_AT lives_NN2 of_IO women_NN2 all_RR over_II rural_JJ 
Bangladesh_NP1 ._. 
Findings_NN2 indicate_VV0 a_AT1 rise_NN1 in_II living_NN1 standards_NN2 ,_, 
decision-making_JJ power_NN1 ,_, mobility_NN1 ,_, self-respect_NN1 and_CC 
economic_JJ independence_NN1 and_CC financial_JJ stability_NN1 amongst_II 
the_AT credit_NN1 members_NN2 ._. 
The_AT women_NN2 end_VV0 up_RP spending_VVG more_RRR on_II household_NN1 
expenditures_NN2 such_II21 as_II22 food_NN1 ,_, groceries_NN2 ,_, clothing_NN1 
,_, utilities_NN2 ,_, childrens_NN2 education_NN1 ,_, healthcare_NN1 
services_NN2 and_CC many_DA2 others_NN2 and_CC they_PPHS2 do_VD0 so_RR with_IW 
more_DAR confidence_NN1 and_CC ease_NN1 ,_, due_II21 to_II22 the_AT 
availability_NN1 of_IO finances_NN2 ._. 
Lifestyles_NN2 are_VBR substantially_RR improved_VVN and_CC most_DAT of_IO 
literature_NN1 points_VVZ out_RP the_AT same_DA aspect_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB there_EX are_VBR still_RR some_DD challenges_NN2 and_CC 
constraints_NN2 and_CC the_AT whole_JJ picture_NN1 is_VBZ not_XX so_RG rosy_JJ 
._. 
As_CSA pointed_VVN out_RP earlier_RRR ,_, women_NN2 still_RR experience_VV0 
social_JJ restrictions_NN2 ,_, and_CC must_VM abide_VVI by_II certain_JJ ,_, 
patriarchal_JJ norms_NN2 and_CC values_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ keep_VV0 them_PPHO2 
subservient_JJ to_II men_NN2 ._. 
For_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, as_CSA seen_VVN in_II my_APPGE data_NN and_CC 
findings_NN2 ,_, womens_VVZ freedom_NN1 of_IO movement_NN1 is_VBZ not_XX 
changed_VVN that_RG much_DA1 ,_, where_CS they_PPHS2 are_VBR still_RR not_XX 
allowed_VVN to_TO travel_VVI to_II other_JJ neighbouring_JJ villages_NN2 
and_CC cities_NN2 ,_, for_IF business_NN1 or_CC any_DD other_JJ purposes_NN2 
and_CC husbands_NN2 and_CC other_JJ male_JJ members_NN2 of_IO their_APPGE 
family_NN1 influence_VV0 their_APPGE decisions_NN2 in_II this_DD1 regard_NN1 
._. 
And_CC as_CSA pointed_VVN out_RP before_RT ,_, not_XX much_RR considerable_JJ 
transformations_NN2 have_VH0 occurred_VVN regarding_II the_AT betterment_NN1 
of_IO womens_NN2 social_JJ status_NN1 and_CC political_JJ involvement_NN1 
and_CC these_DD2 areas_NN2 need_VV0 to_TO be_VBI addressed_VVN ._. 
Another_DD1 article_NN1 by_II Naila_NP1 Kabeer_NP1 (_( 2005_MC )_) 
explores_VVZ some_DD of_IO these_DD2 major_JJ negative_JJ aspects_NN2 of_IO 
microcredit_NN1 and_CC aims_VVZ to_TO rethink_VVI the_AT whole_JJ notion_NN1 
by_II questioning_VVG how_RGQ much_RR it_PPH1 really_RR contributes_VVZ to_II 
women_NN2 empowerment_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 concludes_VVZ at_II the_AT end_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE paper_NN1 
that_CST it_PPH1 is_VBZ one_MC1 of_IO the_AT injustices_NN2 of_IO the_AT 
way_NN1 that_CST society_NN1 is_VBZ organized_VVN in_II Bangladesh_NP1 
that_CST even_RR extremely_RR able_JJ women_NN2 ,_, those_DD2 from_II 
better-off_JJR households_NN2 and_CC more_RGR educated_JJ ,_, are_VBR 
largely_RR unable_JK to_TO realize_VVI their_APPGE entrepreneurial_JJ 
potential_NN1 because_CS their_APPGE gender_NN1 acts_VVZ as_II a_AT1 
barrier_NN1 to_II gaining_VVG access_NN1 to_II the_AT necessary_JJ 
resources_NN2 ._. 
Men_NN2 have_VH0 always_RR had_VHN more_DAR opportunities_NN2 and_CC 
choices_NN2 in_II31 terms_II32 of_II33 accessing_VVG economic_JJ resources_NN2 
than_CSN women_NN2 ,_, from_II an_AT1 equivalent_JJ class_NN1 ._. 
Womens_NP1 higher_JJR repayment_NN1 records_NN2 in_II microcredit_NN1 do_VD0 
not_XX reflect_VVI their_APPGE socialized_JJ compliance_NN1 in_II the_AT 
face_NN1 of_IO the_AT instrumentalist_NN1 authority_NN1 of_IO NGO_NP1 or_CC 
government_NN1 officials_NN2 ,_, as_CSA the_AT more_RGR negative_JJ 
evaluations_NN2 tend_VV0 to_TO suggest_VVI ,_, but_CCB also_RR the_AT 
compliance_NN1 which_DDQ comes_VVZ with_IW having_VHG very_RG few_DA2 
choices_NN2 and_CC limited_JJ options_NN2 ._. 
Kabeer_NN1 suggests_VVZ alternative_JJ ,_, purposive_JJ interventions_NN2 ,_, 
which_DDQ can_VM help_VVI to_TO direct_VVI resources_NN2 to_II women_NN2 ,_, 
thereby_RR overcoming_VVG past_JJ barriers_NN2 which_DDQ have_VH0 led_VVN 
to_II the_AT suppression_NN1 of_IO their_APPGE entrepreneurial_JJ 
potential_NN1 ._. 
And_CC then_RT these_DD2 women_NN2 must_VM be_VBI welcomed_VVN on_II the_AT 
grounds_NN2 of_IO efficiency_NN1 and_CC equity_NN1 ._. 
(_( Kabeer_VV0 ,_, 2001_MC )_) As_CSA evidenced_VVN in_II my_APPGE case_NN1 
studies_NN2 and_CC quantitative_JJ data_NN ,_, the_AT indicators_NN2 of_IO 
womens_NN2 empowerment_NN1 are_VBR much_RR more_RRR perceived_VVN in_II 
nature_NN1 ,_, rather_II21 than_II22 being_VBG actual_JJ empowerment_NN1 ._. 
To_TO bring_VVI about_RP holistic_JJ ,_, all-inclusive_JJ and_CC more_RGR 
comprehensive_JJ transformations_NN2 ,_, the_AT established_JJ patriarchal_JJ 
systems_NN2 need_VV0 to_TO be_VBI challenged_VVN ,_, deconstructed_VVD and_CC 
overhauled_VVN and_CC the_AT mentality_NN1 of_IO men_NN2 and_CC male_JJ 
members_NN2 of_IO society_NN1 ,_, needs_VVZ to_TO change_VVI in_II a_AT1 
drastic_JJ way_NN1 ,_, so_CS21 that_CS22 the_AT environment_NN1 becomes_VVZ 
more_RGR favourable_JJ and_CC welcoming_VVG for_IF women_NN2 ._. 
Their_APPGE contributions_NN2 ,_, their_APPGE important_JJ role_NN1 in_II 
the_AT family_NN1 and_CC society_NN1 ,_, need_VV0 to_TO be_VBI duly_RR 
acknowledged_VVN and_CC given_VVN its_APPGE due_JJ importance_NN1 ,_, if_CS 
women_NN2 want_VV0 to_TO be_VBI treated_VVN as_CSA equals_NN2 and_CC given_VVN 
the_AT respect_NN1 that_CST they_PPHS2 rightfully_RR deserve_VV0 ._. 
Only_RR then_RT ,_, will_NN1 empowerment_NN1 really_RR come_VV0 about_RP 
and_CC its_APPGE effects_NN2 positively_RR impact_VV0 Bangladeshi_JJ 
society_NN1 ._.