Microfinance and Gender: Issues, Challenges and the Road Ahead

Supriya Garikipati, Isabelle Guérin, Susan S.J. Johnson and Ariane Szafarz

No 17-010, Working Papers CEB from ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles

Abstract: This special collection examines the claim that microfinance promotes gender equality. The focus is on three areas of the debate: first, the question of how successful microfinance has been in empowering women; second, whether and how negative gender discrimination operates within the sector; third, how power relations within and beyond the household shape the context and outcomes of microfinance initiatives. The papers in this collection demonstrate the divergence of circumstances and emphasise the need to go beyond the past searches for a simple narrative regarding the impact of microfinance. Rather, as the sector evolves and is incorporated into the mainstream financial system, the challenge ahead for researchers is to marshal the evidence on gendered dynamics to ensure that the gains made are built on through deeper understanding of why impact outcomes and processes differ and use this to inform new initiatives to further gender equality.

Keywords: microfinance; gender; women's empowerment; discrimination; household economics; power relations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: B54 D63 G21 I32 J16 O16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 16 p.
Date: 2017-03-16
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-gen, nep-hme and nep-mfd
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (24)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Microfinance and Gender: Issues, Challenges and The Road Ahead (2017)
Working Paper: Microfinance and Gender: Issues, Challenges and the Road Ahead (2016)
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