Gender Bias in Microfinance

A later version of this paper is published in Journal of Development Studies, Vol. 49, Issue. 5, pp.589-608, 2013

30 Pages Posted: 22 Mar 2016

See all articles by Bert D'Espallier

Bert D'Espallier

Catholic University of Louvain (UCL) - Lessius University College; Hogeschool-Universiteit Brussel (HUBrussel)

Isabelle Guérin

Universities of Marseille - University of Provence - Aix-Marseille I

Roy Mersland

University of Agder

Date Written: 2013

Abstract

We provide empirical evidence on focusing on women in microfinance and its consequences for microfinance institutions (MFIs). Based on a global dataset, the results indicate that a focus on women is associated with group-lending methods, international orientation, smaller loans, and non-commercial legal status. We find that a focus on women significantly improves repayment but does not enhance overall financial performance because of higher relative costs. Moreover, the higher relative costs do not stem from servicing women per se but from the smaller loans offered to women and the group-lending methodology practised by MFIs focusing on women.

Keywords: Microfinance, gender, MFI performance

JEL Classification: G21

Suggested Citation

D'Espallier, Bert and D'Espallier, Bert and Guérin, Isabelle and Mersland, Roy, Gender Bias in Microfinance (2013). A later version of this paper is published in Journal of Development Studies, Vol. 49, Issue. 5, pp.589-608, 2013, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2356885

Bert D'Espallier

Catholic University of Louvain (UCL) - Lessius University College ( email )

Department of Business Studies
Korte Nieuwstraat 33
Antwerp, 2000
Belgium

Hogeschool-Universiteit Brussel (HUBrussel) ( email )

Stormstraat 2
Brussels, 1000
Belgium

Isabelle Guérin

Universities of Marseille - University of Provence - Aix-Marseille I ( email )

3, avenue Robert Schuman
Aix-en-Provence, 13100
France

Roy Mersland (Contact Author)

University of Agder ( email )

Serviceboks 422
N-4604 Kristiansand, VEST AGDER 4604
Norway

HOME PAGE: http://www.uia.no/microfinance

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