Impact of Microfinance on Decision Making and Women Empowerment - Case Study of Krishna and Kadapa

Women empowerment is an essential preconditionfor elimination of poverty. In India, Micro finance and Self Help Group (SHG)intervention helped in economic up gradation of the poor women through strengthening the income generating capacity and led to empowerment of women.This paper analysis the impact of Microfinance Institutions on women decision making and how the micro finance has affected the economic and social status of the respondents in the selected districts of Andhra Pradesh.It also analysis the micro finance as an instrument for women empowerment.It provides a conceptual background to research in this subject. Micro finance has resulted in improving access to credit sources and asset building and improved the role of women in decision making