Microfinance as a tool for empowerment of women and upliftment of poor has gained credence in development dialogue, the world over. Reaching women in remote rural areas and creating a legitimate organizational space where women can meet and function as a collective has been recognized as a development of significant potential for challenging the social and economic isolation of women. This book is the outcome of the papers presented in a workshop on microfinance. The workshop attempted to capture innovations from different areas of microfinance. In all 16 papers were presented and each paper dwelt on various facets of microfinance and evoked considerable interest among the delegates. The organization of this volume was guided by a conceptual framework that summarizes the recent shift in paradigm, innovative strategies and the development practices in the field of microfinance. The book is both retrospective and prospective in the sense that the book aims to synthesize and juxtapose what is done already and identify what needs to be done to promote outreach in terms of "Depth, breadth, length, quality and products of microfinance." It is hoped that the book will be useful for students, researchers and practitioners for richer understanding of the concept, issues and the way-out in the field of microfinance.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR N. Lalitha
Dr. N. Lalitha holds M.A. degrees in Economics, Women’s studies and Gandhian thought, M.Ed., M.Phil and Ph.D. in Economics. She won Medal for securing first rank in M.A. (Women’s studies) at Mother Teresa Women’s University, Kodaikanal. Presently, Reader in the Faculty of Rural Development, Gandhigram rural Institute (D.U.) Gandhigram, she has presented papers in several International, National and Regional seminars and workshops. A seasoned teacher having nearly one and half decade of professional standing, she is the author of many research papers, articles, monographs and books on a variety of issues relating to empowerment of women, self help groups, micro credit, rural women and Rural Development. She has been involved in development projects with emphasis on alternate credit delivery systems and women’s empowerment. She has undertaken projects on women self help groups, women co-operatives and women in poverty alleviation programmes. She has been guiding scholars working for M.Phil and Ph.D. degree. She is in the network of Non Governmental SHG Federations. She has been involved in developmental projects with emphasis on alternate credit delivery systems. Currently, she is running an Action research project on Self Help Groups and Self Help promoting Institutions funded by CAPART and a research project on Micro credit Intervention and Women Empowerment funded by ICSSR.
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