The Impact of microfinance on women's empowerment in Bench Maji Zone

Microfinance program is a key strategy in promoting women's empowerment. Microfinance and women's empowerment is a debatable issue. Besides, no empirical studies have been conducted in Omo Microfinance institution in Bench Maji Zone on this issue to the best knowledge of the researchers. Thus, this study examines the impact of microfinance on women's empowerment in the case of Omo Microfinance Institution in Bench Maji Zone. The study adopts mixed research approach to test the hypotheses and address research questions. The data was collected from 371 Omo Microfinance Institution in Bench Maji Zone clients and the collected data was analyzed by using Logit regression Model. The findings of the study shows that level of education, marital status, duration of involvement in OMFI, loan size, involvement in income generating activities, household income and saving habit has statistically significant impact on women's empowerment. In contrast age of respondent is not statistically significant. Finally the study suggests that microfinance institution as much as possible increase the loan size given to the clients so as to enable them to expand and diversify their investment opportunities and reduce the interest rates charged on loans, to reduce the debt burden of clients.