Empowering women in financial institutions

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess the role of financial institutions in women empowerment using Cairo bank as the case study.The study used the population of 70 people which included, tellers, managers, loan and payment officers. From which a sample of 50people were selected using a purposive sampling technique. Quantitative data was collected using self-administered questionnaires where respondents were asked to give their opinions basing on likert scale of five options. Qualitative data was collected using interview guide. The research instrument was tested using CVI where all the three coefficient values for variables were above benchmark of 0.7 and was tested for reliability using Cronbach’s Alpha reliability Coefficient whose overall value 0.80.Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. From the study, the ways for enhancing women empowerment in financial institutions were enforcing policies and social protection systems, giving proper education and ensuring that women are equipped to participate in the economy. The progress of empowerment in financial institutions includes access to savings and credit, economic growth as one major justification. Challengesfaced in women empowerment include lack of financial education, Micro and Small Enterprises are not reaching their growth potential. The study therefore recommends thatCairo bank should enforce policies and social protection systems, provide proper education and also enable access to savings and credit. Furthermore, the bank should encourage economic growth as one major justification, provide financial education and ensure that micro and small enterprises reach their growth potential. KEY WORDS: Cairo Bank, Empowerment, Financial Institutions.