Is Micro Credit in Urban Poverty Making a Difference? A Review from Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh has gained substantial experience in using micro credit for reducing poverty since 1980s. NGOs first adopted micro credit approach basically to empower the women attempting at generating self employment and self reliance. The government followed the policy to achieve same objectives. NGOs and GOs have launched micro credit based programs to alleviate urban poverty, especially in the slum areas. Most of the NGOs and GOs could bring urban women within the fold of different micro credit based activities. Strong criticisms exist in relation to the economic success of micro credit programs despite the consciousness that has generated. Attributed progress has been seen in many areas such as education, health care, employment, gender equality. The urban poor seem more confident now than ever before and community development approach of NGOs played vital role to elevate their overall situation. The current paper is situated in the debate of micro credit and urban poverty. This paper traces the brief history; describes the strong foundations and faith in micro-credit in Bangladesh and examines the notions of the debate: has micro credit moved the urban poor from survival mode to thrive or remains a placating phenomenon? Central to the paper is the human rights dimensions of social work and its empowerment actions.