Microfinance and domestic violence: a regression discontinuity approach

We document the extent and type of domestic violence in rural Bangladesh, using a household level survey data collected during the 2006-2007. 48% of women reported having experienced physical violence by their husband in the last 12 months. Using a regression discontinuity approach we then estimate the effect of women�s participation in microfinance programs on domestic violence at the household and the village level. Our results show that women�s participation in microfinance diminishes domestic violence neither at the household nor at the village level.