More than 10,000 micro-lending organizations are today providing loans to 25 million poor people throughout the world, most of them women. The number of these organisations grew dramatically during the 1990s, spurred by the notion of 'self-help' and a faith in the creditworthiness and entrepreneurial potential of the poor. But is the current euphoria over micro-credit missing some fundamental questions? Does micro-credit really reach the poorest? Does it really empower women? More...

Banking on poor women: Grameen Bank

International Year of Micro-credit, 2005

Women’s empowerment, or a debt trap?

‘Micro-credit improves cash flow but doesn't create wealth’

Further Reading