MICROFINANCE, POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT: AN ANTHROPOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Microfinance is widely acclaimed in both developed as well developing countries as a suitable intervention to eradicate poverty and fight against social injustice. It is estimated that about 45 percent of world population are living in deplorable condition, which not only makes them as a vulnerable groups, but at the same time they are also not able to participate in developmental processes. Recognizing the merits, Microfinance recently emerged as a powerful tool to achieve the concept of inclusive growth in general and women empowerment in particular. The present paper essentially deals with the role of the organization SEWA in changing women outlook through capacity building. Woman faces the impact of poverty different than their men counterpart. She has to bear “psychological stress” that emerges because of material as well as relative deprivation related to daily needs. Thus to counter this multifaceted social problems, Microfinance initiative comes very handy to reduce the incidence of poverty as well as for empowering women.