Fifteenth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

This study examines the impact of micro-credit loans on B40 women in urban locations in Malaysia. B40 women belong to the bottom 40% of the pyramid in terms of economic wealth, earning less than USD 1000.00 household income per month. Many of these women are single mothers, widows, abandoned women and women with husbands who do not add value to the household income. These women sustain themselves and their families (children and aged parents) through the initiation of micro enterprises centred around their basic skills and competencies. These micro-enterprises range from food catering, small food stalls, fruits and vegetable vendors, tailoring, floral arrangements, costume jewelery, small provision shops, newspaper and magazine vendors, beauty and cosmetic services, and any such small enterprise they are familiar with to manage. The women in this study received a small loan of USD 500.00 each to set up their business enterprise based on a replication of the Grameen Model by Professor Muhammad Yunus. This study is to assess the impact the micro-credit loan has had on the women in 4 key areas of measurement: i) economic wealth generation; ii) lifestyle change; iii) family relationship; and iv) personal growth. An in-depth interview will be conducted with 100 women from 5 urban locations on specific indicators to measure the impact in the four key areas. The findings of the research will help in the further modification of the customised Grameen Model to better suit the needs of the women in terms of business growth and sustainability.