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Experiences of people with physical disabilities when accessing microfinance services in Bangladesh: A qualitative study

Year: 2022
Type: article
Abstract: This paper represents the experiences of people with physical disabilities in accessing microfinance lending. Microfinance emerged as a tool to eradicate poverty and empower poor people; however, accessing it is challenging for many people with physical disabilities. This qualitative study was conducted through semi-structured in-depth interviews with twenty people with physical disabilities in Bangladesh to explore their insights into the issues that they face in accessing microfinance. Data was collected from both urban and rural areas and both male and female participants. Underpinned by the social model of disability, this study finds that people with physical disabilities experience substantial exclusion, stigma and barriers in accessing microfinance. In many cases, despite the efforts of microfinance institutions, credit is unavailable to many people with physical disabilities, as they experience negative and unfriendly behaviour from microfinance staff and unaffordable credit conditions. Moreover, people with physical disabilities have fewer opportunities to access non-credit services, such as savings, insurance, training and complaints mechanisms. To address these challenges, microfinance institutions need to develop disability-friendly and robust institutional policy reforms. People with disabilities should be actively involved in the policy development process. This study will not only share the experiences of people with physical disabilities from a context in the Global South, but also provides insights which might be useful to understanding the challenges that other people with disabilities in different countries face in terms of financial inclusion.
Source: Alter
DOI: 10.4000/9ifb
Language: English
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $1,000
OpenAlex ID: W4403508696
FWCI: 1.583
Cites: 22
Cited by: 8
Related to: 10