Document Type
Article
Source
Advanced Management Journal
ISSN
0036-0805
Volume
75
Issue
1
First Page
23
Publication Date
Winter 2010
Department
Barowsky School of Business
Abstract
In many countries throughout the world micro-credit loans are utilized to empower women by seeking to reduce the poverty of families and communities. Originally Non-governmental organizations’ (NGO) microcredit programs focused on funding women’s businesses. In so doing, NGOs encourage and support women’s empowerment leading to community building, as well as to advancing women’s individual gender equity. This descriptive study is based upon interviews of 100 women who participated in microcredit loan programs run by a Bangladeshi NGO, entitled, Nari Uddog Kendra (NUK). The case study examines the participation and impact of NUK’s business development and leadership training programs. The study describes how leadership development with individuals in group settings, leads to empowerment of women, both in local communities and society. Furthermore, NUK’s training programs offered subjects support in organizing and managing their small businesses. The paper concludes that NUK’s leadership development with women in group setting leads to empower women both in local communities and society.