In Ethiopia, gender disparities persist in access to financial services, particularly microfinance loans, which are crucial for rural women's economic empowerment. A mixed-methods approach combining quantitative survey analysis with qualitative interviews to explore barriers and facilitators to loan access, focusing specifically on rural areas of Ethiopia. Microfinance institutions (MFIs) showed a significant gender gap in lending practices: women were less likely to receive loans than men. This disparity was particularly pronounced among younger borrowers (under 30 years old). Policy recommendations should focus on increasing MFI outreach, improving loan application processes for rural areas, and enhancing financial literacy training targeted at female borrowers. Implement gender-sensitive lending criteria in MFIs, increase community-based support networks for women entrepreneurs, and integrate digital platforms to improve accessibility.