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• (Journal Article) Performance of microfinance institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from Indian states

  01.12.2021
  The microfinance sector has played a vital role in economic development and financial inclusion in India. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic affecting economic activities, microfinance institutions (MFIs) were impacted adversely. The Government of India introduced a moratorium to borrowers for loan repayments. This study examines the impact of the government’s initiative of easing borrowers’ financial burdens and the number of active COVID-19 cases on the operational efficiency of MFIs in Indian states. Additionally, the analysis explores the macro-economic determinants of MFI performance. The study incorporates the random effects robust regression model. The findings suggest that interest rate and inflation impact every MFI performance criterion while national income only affects the loan penetration efficiency of MFIs. It is also found that the moratorium significantly helped borrowers, whereas, it had adverse effects on the loan penetration by MFIs. Lastly, it is shown that MFIs remained resilient to COVID-19 cases, except in the case of reduced number of borrowers.

• (Journal Article) Menstrual hygiene management in disasters: the concerns, needs, and preferences of women and girls in Vanuatu

  01.07.2021
  In disaster settings, women and girls face additional challenges in safely managing menstruation with confidence and dignity. Assessing women’s and girls’ needs and preferences at country level prior to a disaster assists Red Cross National Societies with preparedness planning and development of local menstrual hygiene management (MHM) kits for pre-positioning. This study, conducted in Vanuatu, examined the experiences, concerns, needs, and preferences of women and girls in managing menstruation in disasters. Participants trialled one of four different sanitary products included in a MHM kit. Absorbency, security of fit, and odour were the main determinants of product acceptability. Water supply and safe disposal options influenced the preference for either reusable or disposable products. Access to sanitary products, distribution processes, water supply, and privacy were key concerns. Detailed recommendations within this paper will support the Vanuatu Red Cross in decision making and programming for MHM in disaster preparedness and response.

• (Journal Article) Microfinance and business regulations in emerging markets

  01.12.2021
  The rapid expansion of microfinance has been uneven across emerging market countries. Our study examines whether the regulatory and legal environment for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) associated with microfinance institution (MFI) lending in informal markets may be part of the explanation. Our study of 51 emerging market countries for the period 2007–2015 used two measures of MFI lending: 1) the market penetration index (PI) which reflects MFI outreach and 2) gross loan portfolio per capita (GLP) which gauges the volume of MFI lending. Based on our search, this is the first study to incorporate both measures of MFI lending. We find that excessive regulation and weak legal institutions are associated with less MFI lending both in terms of outreach (PI) and loan volume (GLP). Hence, the international differences in MFI expansion may be partially attributable to business-unfriendly regulations and legal structures.

• (Journal Issue) Issue 1

  01.01.2021
  

• (Journal Issue) Issue 2

  01.04.2021
  

• (Journal Issue) Issue 1-2

  01.06.2021
  

• (Journal Issue) Issue 3

  01.07.2021
  

• (Journal Issue) Issue 3

  01.09.2021
  

• (Journal Issue) Issue 4

  01.10.2021
  

• (Journal Issue) Issue 4

  01.12.2021
  

• (Journal Issue) Issue 1

  01.01.2022
  

• (Journal Issue) Issue 1

  01.03.2022
  

• (Journal Issue) Issue 2

  01.04.2022
  

• (Journal Issue) Issue 2

  01.06.2022
  

• (Journal Issue) Issue 3

  01.09.2022
  

• (Journal Issue) Issue 3

  01.09.2022
  

• (Journal Issue) Issue 4

  01.12.2022
  

• (Journal Article) Sustainability of youth self-employment schemes in Central Gondar, Amhara, Ethiopia

  01.06.2022
  This study examined survival of youth self-employment using primary data. Relevant factors are identified that influence youth’s dropping out of self-employment. The findings of the study indicated that young women-managed small businesses are more likely to survive and be profitable than young men-managed businesses. Youth-managed small businesses with frequent technical support have more chance of long-run survival. Furthermore, attainment of a positive perception of readily available business options is related to the long-term survival of youth self-employment. Finally, small businesses operating according to a business plan with sufficient access to working places have better chances of long-run survival. Consistent multidimensional support before and after entry into self-employment is suggested for effective micro and small enterprise development.

• (Journal Article) Does women’s participation in water committees affect management and water system performance in rural Vanuatu?

  01.07.2017
  Greater participation of women in water management and decision-making is expected to improve outcomes for both women and the wider community. Global evidence indicates that women’s participation in Water User Committees (WUCs) has been limited; yet their involvement in management has correlated with more effective water systems. This analysis of water inventory data from Vanuatu considers how women’s participation in WUCs affects water management and system functionality. Women represent only 16 per cent of committee membership; however, their involvement in key WUC roles was associated with more effective water management, including regular meetings and revenue collection, and improved functioning of water systems. This evidence of women’s involvement is proving useful in advocacy efforts to improve the gender balance in WUCs, and targets for female membership are being considered for inclusion in water supply legislation.

• (Journal Article) Back to basics: urban households’ perspective on free water supply in Ghana in the COVID-19 pandemic

  01.04.2022
  Water supply is a basic human right and governments have sought to fulfil this right through free supply of water. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed governments, including the Government of Ghana, to return to supply of free water as a measure of enhancing personal hygiene in fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic. This study sought to analyse the reliability of water supply before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and the state of households’ water consumption during the pandemic. The paper is based on an online survey of 4,257 urban households across the 16 administrative regions of Ghana. The study found that flow reliability has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic free water delivery. We also established that correlation between consumption before and during the pandemic was r = 0.659, p < 0.01. Therefore, use of the ‘stay home campaign’ as a strategy to contain the disease in addition to social connection and sharing free water, have increased domestic water consumption. Although the pandemic necessitated the return to water being delivered as a basic necessity to fight against the pandemic, the emphasis on ‘back to basics’ was not fully implemented. This is because some urban households that could not pay water bills prior to the free water supply were denied the COVID-19 pandemic free water package and rural households who relied on point sources also did not benefit from the package.