Challenging the links between microfinance and domestic violence: evidence from rural India

Daily Bread: Women’s Self-Help Microfinance and the Social Meanings of Money

“…Over a period of 3 weeks during the winter of 2018-2019, the research team carried out exploratory/pilot fieldwork in the tolas previously studied by Yaron et al (2019) in Bihar. The fieldwork team included two co-investigators, E.B.…”

“…SHG microfinance in particular is viewed as enabling poor households to save and manage money, which can buffer them from unexpected financial crisis (Verma and Aggarwal, 2014). Research by Yaron et al (2018Yaron et al ( , 2019 on the effects of microfinance on marginalised communities in India drew on the Rojiroti scheme as an SHG case study. The research found that within a short period of time as members, women were demonstrating significantly increased participation, particularly in the organisation of household finances.…”

“…The research found that within a short period of time as members, women were demonstrating significantly increased participation, particularly in the organisation of household finances. The authors also report improvements in capacity and decision-making and a fall in reports of IPV among members (Yaron et al, 2019). Elsewhere, it is argued that access to microfinance can improve women's reproductive health and capacity for property ownership and decision-making, which can lessen their vulnerability to IPV (Hashemi et al, 1996;Pitt and Khandker, 1996) Other studies, however, have presented counterarguments about the effects of microfinance on women living in largely patriarchal settings, and there is little consensus on what constitutes empowerment (Goetz and Gupta, 1996;Guérin et al, 2013;Hunt and Kasynathan, 2001).…”