Microfinance training and women empowerment in South Sudan - a case of Brac microfinance institution in Juba county
Abstract
This study was about microfinance training and women empowerment and it was carried out in
BRAC South Sudan in Juba County. It was guided by three objectives: 1- To find out the
pedagogical approaches, Methods and Techniques use in microfinance training. 2- To establish
the contribution of microfinance training on women empowerment. 3- To find other factors that
influences the quality of microfinance training.
I used a descriptive study design taking a qualitative approach and statistical study design using a
quantitative approach; all the two approaches was based on a total sample of 50 respondents
comprised of Trainees/ Clients, Managers, Administrators, BRAC staff and Government
Officials. They were selected using stratified sampling and random sampling; gender was
considered during the selection process. Data was collected using in-depth interviews, focus
group discussion, observation and documentary analysis. The main findings showed that not all
women are empowered despite the training and loans given to them. The purely qualitative
information was analyzed based on the study themes and objectives meanwhile quantitative data
was analyzed using simple descriptive frequency tables. In terms of content given in training by
BRAC, it was found the content given was quite an elaborate range of modules were offered and
all were relevant.
BRAC should include Certification in their programme whereby trained women after completion
are given Award/ Certificate and construct a bigger training center with accommodation
facilities. BRAC and the Government of South Sudan should play the role of policy formulation
and provision of an enabling environment for private delivery of microfinance training in a
sustainable way in order to empower women economically, politically and socially.
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CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.lOverview
This chapter presents the background for my Master's Thesis in relation to the development of
vocational pedagogy in Kyambogo University. It contains background of the study, personal
background, study background, motivation, statement of the problem/ gaps in study, purpose of
the study, objectives of the study, research question, scope of the study, justification, significance
of the study, limitations and delimitations, theoretical/ conceptual framework, definition of key/
operating terms and organization of the report.
However, the study seeks the pedagogical principles, practices and issues related to Microfinance
training and women empowerment in South Sudan. Microfinance refers to the provision of
small-scale financial services, primarily credit and savings to poor and disadvantaged people
(Robinson, 2001 :9).
The co-operative interest rate policy and the credit allocation policy were later dubbed as
financially repressive policies contributing to the inefficiency of the financial sector (McKinon,
1973). This led to the financial sector reforms which were implemented in the 1990s. These
reforms were intended to redress these problems. The financial sector reforms included
liberalization of interest rates, removal of all forms of credit allocation, the privatization of state
owned banks, and the designing of appropriate banking laws (Financial Institutions statute 1993).
Later it was found there was financial services gap especially in the rural areas (Bategeka, 1999)
for example in South Sudan there is still exits a big gap which will take some time to narrow.