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This study aims to gain the perception of Selangor’s disadvantaged women on the Sharīʿah (Islamic law) rules on two micro-equity financing instruments, namely, muḍārabah (profit sharing) and mushārakah (profit-and-loss sharing) (M&M).

A survey was carried out in the rural area of Selangor district in Malaysia by administering a self-generated structured questionnaire. A total of 330 completed questionnaires were retrieved from the members of an Islamic microfinance institution (IsMFI), namely, Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM). The data were analysed by using structural equation modelling.

The female borrowers of AIM perceive the Sharīʿah rules of M&M requiring high moral and ethical values and diligent repayment performance. They are aware of some other underlying provisions such as business liquidation, share transfer, information discloser and business termination. The overall findings of this study suggest that the perceived Sharīʿah rules are akin to those that are commonly used in general partnership businesses between Muslims. It also indicates that disadvantaged entrepreneurs would accept the rules that are easy to comprehend as well as favourable to their interests. It further suggests that respondents’ experiences of microfinance and business operation do not have a significant influence on their perception of M&M instruments.

This study was limited to Selangor. So, the perception of Muslim women surveyed may not represent the views of all women in Malaysia. However, it can offer a primary understanding of the said issue.

The findings of this study can help IsMIFs take initiatives to offer M&M as micro-equity finance to poor women entrepreneurs.

So far, limited studies have been carried out on M&M-based microfinancing. This paper offers new insights presenting disadvantaged women entrepreneurs’ perception of these financing instruments.

It is well recognized that the poor who are already vulnerable and food insecure are likely to be more vulnerable to climate change. Especially the poor and marginal in developing nations are highly exposed and vulnerable as they have limited resources to adapt with climate uneven. For example most of the coastal communities in Bangladesh are poor and highly exposed to extreme climate evens and half of the coastal population is women, who are considered as most vulnerable to climate change impacts comparer to others as noted in (Dankelman et al., 2008). Social, economic and political context for women in Bangladesh makes them more vulnerable to climate change and food security. Furthermore, they suffer more than men during and after climatic disasters (FAO, 2008).

Through empirical studies among the rural poor women in south‐western coastal areas of Bangladesh, this study explores their hardship and perceptions about climate change impacts.

It also scrutinizes the impact of climate change on the food security of rural poor women through examining the changes in food availability, consumption pattern and women's daily working pattern and changing lifestyle to ensure household food security.

This study would help the development workers to realize the nature and extent of the problems and thus facilitate to undertake effective policies and actions.