Micro credit seems to work best with women! Women take financial help more seriously. They utilize money much more carefully and credit groups find them more conscious of repayment obligations. But in many ways, women end up as losers despite being in the thick of the micro finance movement. Points out Smita Premchander, Chief Executive, Sampark, a NGO which works with micro finance and women in Hyderabad: "Women value the habit of savings. But how is the money is being managed is the question. Micro finance can become meaningful only if social empowerment happens and realities like the caste divide collapses. Women ultimately need to have control over their money and not let other relatives or men folk decide on what should be done with it."
By joining hands, women are finding greater freedoms. Picutre Credit: CARE India
As the micro finance movement grows, can it protect women from being exploited after they have been empowered? Points out Neera Burra, Assistant Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme, New Delhi: "It is pointless to call women empowered just because they have money. But has the money stopped domestic violence? Do they get equal remuneration?" As women take loans to conduct economic activity, their work burdens have enormously increased. So, girls are pulled out of school to do some of the housework. Unless men share the burden, women will have a hard time. Many of them take loans, as the men want the money. Then, they walk out on her leaving the woman to pay back the loan."
It was not easy getting small groups of women to overcome typical resistance and struggle against stereotypes in rural India. But, gradually, the movement has created a sense of belonging among the women members, a sense of purpose and a new determination. They see the benefits of good communication, cohesion and cooperation. There is a sense of pride through decision-making and problem solving. Actually, problem solving has become fun, as there is room for creativity.
Micro credit seems to work best with women! Women take financial help more seriously. They utilize money much more carefully and credit groups find them more conscious of repayment obligations. But in many ways, women end up as losers despite being in the thick of the micro finance movement. Points out Smita Premchander, Chief Executive, Sampark, a NGO which works with micro finance and women in Hyderabad: "Women value the habit of savings. But how is the money is being managed is the question. Micro finance can become meaningful only if social empowerment happens and realities like the caste divide collapses. Women ultimately need to have control over their money and not let other relatives or men folk decide on what should be done with it."
By joining hands, women are finding greater freedoms. Picutre Credit: CARE India
As the micro finance movement grows, can it protect women from being exploited after they have been empowered? Points out Neera Burra, Assistant Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme, New Delhi: "It is pointless to call women empowered just because they have money. But has the money stopped domestic violence? Do they get equal remuneration?" As women take loans to conduct economic activity, their work burdens have enormously increased. So, girls are pulled out of school to do some of the housework. Unless men share the burden, women will have a hard time. Many of them take loans, as the men want the money. Then, they walk out on her leaving the woman to pay back the loan."
It was not easy getting small groups of women to overcome typical resistance and struggle against stereotypes in rural India. But, gradually, the movement has created a sense of belonging among the women members, a sense of purpose and a new determination. They see the benefits of good communication, cohesion and cooperation. There is a sense of pride through decision-making and problem solving. Actually, problem solving has become fun, as there is room for creativity.
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