Women, micro credit and empowerment in Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

This article explores how micro credit programs can better address women’s aspirations by focusing on more holistic approaches to meet women’s gendered needs.Women’s experiences in a micro credit project are analysed using women’s triple roles, practical and strategic gender needs and notions of women’s empowerment. To examine the relationship between micro credit and empowerment of women, the author interviewed and conducted focus groups with 69 micro credit participants, including women borrowers and staff members from the Group Guaranteed Lending and Savings (GGLS) micro credit program in Cairo, Egypt.