Access to Financial Services and Women Empowerment, through Microfinance: A case of Palestine

ABSTRACT: Despite the growth of the microfinance sector in Palestine, the gap between demand and supply is still huge. The unique political situation assures the importance of microfinance sector and women contribution in the country and its effects over the development of the country, along with the high unemployment and poverty rates. Women empowerment through microfinance is needed the most in rural areas where there is discrimination between men and women. Their contribution in the economy accelerates the development of the local market, affecting their children, child labor reduction, increasing self-confidence, and higher contribution in decision-making. Microfinance institutions are trying to achieve the highest outreach rate to ensure their effectiveness and accomplish its mission. Starting from this point, I will prove the importance of microfinance in Palestine over the living standards and women empowerment under the complicated political and economic situation, covering West Bank and Gaza Strip (Palestinian Territories). Keywords: Women empowerment, decision-making, outreach, living standards. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………