The microcredit continuum: From ‘smart economics’ to holistic programming

Abstract

The ability of microcredit programmes to empower women remains highly contested, with studies alternatively championing their worth or denouncing their ineffectiveness. This article examines why there are such differences of opinion as to the value of microcredit programming for women's empowerment. Through using a qualitative analysis of interviews and focus group discussions with self‐help group participants in West Bengal, this article shows that current microcredit programming varies widely. Results from this study show that there were different empowerment outcomes for women based on which approach to microcredit was implemented. Results further indicate that regardless of the model of programming employed, microcredit is no substitution for welfare or for the creation of employment. This article therefore concludes that microcredit programming exists along a continuum, from ‘smart economics’ approaches to more holistic gender focused programming approaches.

Impact of climate change training intervention in savings groups

“…Regarding SGs, the multidimensional approach is often advocated, for example, by Adams and Vogel (2016) that suggest that poverty is too complex to be eliminated solely through access to basic financial services. Along the same line, Orr et al (2019) and Dulhunty (2022) promote a holistic approach to acknowledge the multifaceted factors that contribute to extreme poverty. According to Gugerty et al (2019), informal community groups such as SGs are an ideal platform for the delivery of development programmes as those are often complementary to the group's financial activities, thus producing additional efficiencies.…”

Microcréditos y autonomía económica de las mujeres en situación de pobreza: un análisis bibliométrico

“…Los microcréditos son transferencias de dinero condicionadas que se otorgan en forma de préstamo a las personas en situación de pobreza, excluidas del sistema financiero por falta de aval, garantías hipotecarias o comprobantes de ingresos, entre otros requerimientos (Cabré, 2002;Cepeda et al, 2021;Gutiérrez, 2012). Por la variedad de sus resultados y por la heterogeneidad de las consecuencias, se han realizado análisis sobre los microcréditos (Cepeda et al, 2021;Dulhunty, 2022;Tria, Harun y Alam, 2022;Tuñón et al, 2007) como estrategia para la erradicación de la pobreza y sobre el efecto que tienen en el ejercicio de la autonomía económica de las mujeres (García-Horta y Zapata-Martelo, 2012;Goel y Ravishankar., 2022;Tria et al 2022).…”

Capítulo 33. El emprendimiento, financiamiento y educación formal: un análisis para los estados mexicanos durante la crisis del COVID-19.

“…El comité que otorgó el premio nobel de la paz al profesor Muhammad Yunus y al Grameen Bank en 2006, reconoce a las microfinanzas como "una importante fuerza liberado" y "un instrumento en contra de la pobreza" (Sengupta et al, 2008). El efecto esperado de este tipo de instrumentos varia en su magnitud, los microcréditos deben de ir acompañados de otro tipo de servicios complementarios como grupos de apoyo, para que el impacto sea significativo (Dulhunty, 2022).…”