The Perceived Social and Physical Effects of Micro-loan Default on Jordanian Women / a qualitative study

The purpose of the study is to determine the social and health impacts of microloan default on women by relying on in-depth interviews with a group of women who have failed to repay their microloans in Jordan. It is evident that defaulting on their microloans is a result of women's inability to repay those loans from the start. One of the predominant social repercussions of defaulting is the pressure and rebuke that women are subjected to by their family and community, especially when a woman faces prosecution for defaulting on her microloan. These repercussions have in turn led to constraints on women's mobility and caused damaged to her health and wellbeing. In many cases, such women resorted to emotional eating which consequently developed into obesity or being subject to severe stress caused her physical harm, such as dental damage or hair loss due to vitamin deficiencies. Finally, the study emphasizes the need to tighten regulations and procedures relevant to offering microloans and providing unemployment insurance through the Social Security Administration or the Ministry of Labor. In addition, it is important to include health insurance in loan programs and through specific mechanisms so that they are part of the social protection of that group. In addition, it is important to provide a social support network that works with women who receive small loans.