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Marginalised communities such as Dalits (untouchables) are among the poorest in India. The project will help to provide credit for micro-enterprise that doubles the incomes of Dalit women and enables women’s federations that manage the credit to be independent and self-sustaining.
Categories
Beneficiaries
Situation
Despite rapid economic growth in India in recent years, 42% of the population remain excluded from this development and live on less than $1.25 a day, the international poverty line. This is particularly the case in the rural area of Theni District where the marginalised poor lack employment opportunities. Instead they rely on moneylenders that charge very high interest in order to meet everyday family needs. However this just has the effect of perpetuating the debt/poverty cycle
Solution
Women’s self-help groups (WSHGs) have become a common feature of poverty alleviation efforts across India. The project seeks to provide grants to 5 women’s federations. Who will in turn provide credit to WSHG members, enabling them to escape the poverty/debt trap of moneylenders and start micro-enterprises that typically generate an income double that of casual farm work (generally the only employment available). In this way the federations can provide long term sustainable poverty alleviation.