Abstract

While increasing number of women enjoys more freedom and power in urban areas, women in rural areas are at a disadvantage in almost all aspects of life when compared to men. Investing in economic empowerment of women particularly in rural areas by supporting them to implement local context based business ideas and basic finance capacity and skills development may reverse these trends, however, when combined with heath education and promotion through trainings focusing on preventive health yields greater impact. This paper is a systematic review of the peer - reviewed research papers and project reports in English language on how rural women, children and family’s health can be improved through integrating income generation and health education & promotion activities. Generally, integrated microfinance, health education and promotion activities has resulted in significant reduction of intimate-partner violence, reduction in HIV/AIDS risk, promotion of mental health and improved women and family health. The findings may guide the process of designing and planning of integrated programs for sustainable women’s income and family health especially in rural areas.

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