This study deals with the effect of microcredit on women's livelihood and empowerment in rural areas of Côte d'Ivoire. A cross-section survey was conducted among 185 borrowers from two microfinance institutions and 209 nonborrowers in rural areas of Côte d'Ivoire. In addition, a focus group discussion was held with each of the two women groups. After matching the two groups on the probability of obtaining credit, we found that the microcredit group on average had a higher income and a higher value of household assets than the non-borrowers. No differences in the value of personal women's assets were found. Furthermore, on one hand women's decision-making power in the household, as indicated by their strategic gender needs, was positively related to the probability of obtaining microcredit. On the other hand receiving microcredit tended to increase their decisionmaking power.
This paper examines the issue of HIV and AIDS in relation to women, human capital and microfinance in Côte d'Ivoire. In total, 440 women and two microfinance institutions (MFIs) served as study units. The HIV epidemic negatively affected both the human and financial capital of households. The morbidity of HIV/AIDS-affected respondents negatively influenced the level of their income. MFI credit failed to increase HIV-positive women's income, while they faced higher medical expenditures than non-affected women. At the household level, HIV had a negative effect on school enrolment of children. The inability of children to attend school shows the long-term effect of HIV/AIDS on the level of education of future generations and accordingly its impact on their contribution to the development of the country.
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