Abstract

There are conflicting views on the impact of microfinance-only interventions on women’s economic empowerment and intimate partner violence in low and middle-income countries. Evidence suggests however that when microfinance is combined with complementary programmes (microfinance plus) it may be effective for empowering women and addressing intimate partner violence. We conducted in-depth interviews with adult women in rural South Africa who had received microfinance loans for more than a year and had recently completed gender training. We explored women’s perceptions on income generation; the effects on their relationships, including intimate partner violence; their notions of power; and perspectives on men’s reactions to their empowerment. Findings reveal that the notion of ‘power within the self’ is supported by women’s income generation, alongside a sense of financial independence and improved social support. Women reported increased happiness and reduced financial stress, although social norms and gender expectations about women subservience and male headship remain salient, particularly among older women. Furthermore, younger women appeared to tolerate abuse due to financial and caring responsibilities. These findings underpin the importance of complementary gender training programmes and of including men as participants for enhancing the effectiveness of economic strengthening interventions.

摘要

在中低收入国家，仅微额供资的干预措施对妇女的经济赋权和亲密伴侣的暴力行为的影响存在分歧。但是，有证据表明，如果将小额信贷与补充计划（小额信贷+）相结合，可能对增强妇女权能和解决亲密伴侣的暴力行为是有效的。我们对南非农村的成年妇女进行了深入的采访，这些妇女已经获得了小额贷款超过一年，并且最近完成了性别培训。我们探讨了妇女对创收的看法；对他们关系的影响，包括亲密伴侣的暴力行为；他们的权力观念；以及关于男性对其授权的反应的观点。研究结果表明，“自我内在力量”的概念得到了妇女创收的支持，以及财务独立感和改善的社会支持感。尽管社会规范和性别对女性自卑和男性领导的期望仍然很突出，但妇女尤其是在老年妇女中，幸福感增强，财务压力有所减轻。此外，由于经济和照顾责任，年轻妇女似乎容忍虐待。这些发现强调了补充性的性别培训计划的重要性，并强调了将男性纳入参与者对于提高经济加强干预措施的有效性的重要性。较年轻的妇女似乎由于经济和照顾责任而容忍虐待。这些发现强调了补充性的性别培训计划的重要性，并强调了将男性纳入参与者对于提高经济加强干预措施的有效性的重要性。较年轻的妇女似乎由于经济和照顾责任而容忍虐待。这些发现强调了补充性的性别培训计划的重要性，并强调了将男性纳入参与者对于提高经济加强干预措施的有效性的重要性。