Evaluating the Influence of Microfinance on Women's Empowerment: A Case Study of Kanjirappally Taluk, Kerala

This study investigates the impact of microfinance interventions on women's empowerment in Kanjirappally Taluk, Kerala. Through a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews, the research explores how access to microfinance influences women's decision-making power, financial autonomy, and community engagement. Advanced econometric techniques, including regression analysis, Propensity Score Matching (PSM), and logistic regression, are employed to assess the relationships between microfinance participation and key empowerment indicators. The findings reveal that microfinance significantly enhances decision-making power and financial autonomy among women but has a limited impact on community engagement. Policy recommendations are provided to improve the effectiveness of microfinance programs in promoting comprehensive empowerment outcomes.