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

在低收入和中等收入国家，仅小额信贷干预对妇女经济赋权和亲密伴侣暴力的影响存在相互矛盾的观点。然而，有证据表明，当小额信贷与补充计划（小额信贷加）相结合时，它可能对赋予妇女权力和解决亲密伴侣暴力行为有效。我们对南非农村的成年女性进行了深入访谈，她们接受了一年多的小额信贷并最近完成了性别培训。我们探讨了女性对创收的看法；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；以及对男性对其赋权的反应的看法。调查结果表明，“自我权力”的概念得到了女性创收的支持，除了财务独立感和改善的社会支持之外。女性报告称幸福感增加，经济压力减少，尽管关于女性屈从和男性领导的社会规范和性别期望仍然很突出，尤其是在老年女性中。此外，由于经济和照顾责任，年轻女性似乎容忍虐待。这些发现强调了补充性性别培训计划和将男性纳入参与者以提高经济强化干预措施的有效性的重要性。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性别培训计划和将男性纳入参与者以提高经济强化干预措施的有效性的重要性。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性别培训计划和将男性纳入参与者以提高经济强化干预措施的有效性的重要性。