Pathways to empowerment? Reflections on microfinance and transformation in gender relations in South Asia
Hunt, J.; Kasynathan, N.
Gender and Development 9(1): 42-52
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 1355-2074 DOI: 10.1080/13552070127738Document Number: 233584
This paper reflects on the strengths and weaknesses of approaches taken by three non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Bangladesh and one NGO based in Bihar in India. Information was obtained during visits to the NGOs in 2000. All these NGOs consider the provision of microfinance to women to be a major strategy for empowering women. Our reflections in this article draw on a review of the literature on the impacts of credit programmes, and on discussions with women's groups and NGO staff. To ensure that microfinance programmes fulfil their promise to support women's empowerment, development workers and researchers need to focus much more on strategies that support the transformation of gender relations.