Microfinance for Women’s Empowerment: A Case of the Thai Women Empowerment Fund in Khon Kaen, Thailand

Abstract

Women’s empowerment is a global concern. Its methods of operationalisation however vary. In Thailand, a way to empower and increase women’s status is done via microfinance programs of the Thai Women Empowerment Fund (TWEF). As an initial attempt to examine the government’s approaches to women’s empowerment, this study identified factors or conditions facilitating effectiveness of the women’s groups in Khon Kaen participating in the microfinance programs between 2013 and 2016. It employed a qualitative case study method, gathering information from nine in-depth interviews and documentary research. The research findings suggested four factors that were determinants of the women groups’ effectiveness or the ability to repay the loans to the Women Empowerment Fund; characteristics of group members, group leadership, production capacity, and access to markets. These factors are important components of an ecosystem for an effective women’s group, which can be utilized to further improve the microfinance programs and the capability of women’s groups.