Bank credit, micro finance and female ownership

We utilise firm level data from Enterprise surveys from the World Bank (see http://www.enterprisesurveys.org). These surveys encompass a representative random sample of firms with data collected across the world by using the same core questionnaire and the same sampling method. Surveys use a stratified random sampling technique. Our study sample includes unlisted firms from 22 countries in 2017 and 2018. Overall, we find some evidence for the existence of a gender gap in the credit market. Our finding supports the argument that, in this context, microfinance is an effective tool for promoting women's empowerment.