Publication Details

Supporting civic activism among chronically poor women

To what extent can multidimensional women’s microfinance groups help?

Rachel Amosu
Jin Woo Kim
Colleen McMillon
Robertha Reid
2011

Abstract

This study was undertaken with the support of the Chronic Poverty Research Centre, the Overseas Development Institute, and the George Washington University. Through in-country and desk research, the research team assessed the extent to which multidimensional women’s microfinance groups in Bolivia and Bangladesh are capable of supporting civic activism among chronically poor women. For the purpose of this paper, multidimensional microfinance programmes are defined as those that offer more than finance services; they also offer social services often through a group-lending model. These programmes move beyond microfinance alone and have the capacity to reduce the vulnerabilities chronically poor women face. Where microfinance organisations, groups or programmes are mentioned, this paper refers specifically to multidimensional microfinance organisations, groups or programmes, unless otherwise stated.

The study operates under the assumption that women must have the necessary tools and opportunities to influence local and, ultimately, national decision-making in order to tackle the problem of chronic poverty. Active participation in groups can be a way to facilitate access to decision-making skills and opportunities for chronically poor women to be able to challenge the economic and social institutions that prevent them from leaving chronic poverty. The research team identified three areas critical to promoting civic activism among women: education and access to information which makes them aware of social issues; access to social networks that allow them to interact with each other; and greater local political awareness and participation,  including access to local government resources. Studies have shown that chronically poor women are more likely to participate in civic activism when they receive education or access to information which makes them aware of social issues, have access to social networks that allow them to interact with each other, and are provided with access to government resources and opportunities to engage with the state. In order to assess whether multidimensional women's microfinance groups could provide women the resources they need to participate in civic activism, we studied the ability of these organisations to effectively offer the necessary education and access to information, social networks, and government access. Studies have shown that chronically poor women are more likely to participate in civic activism when they receive education or access to information which makes them aware of social issues, have access to social networks that allow them to interact with each other, and are provided with access to government resources and opportunities to engage with the state.

Publication Type(s)

CPRC Working Paper

Keywords

Bangladesh social relations gender Bolivia microfinance finance

ISBN: 978-1-906433-75-8

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