Microfinance and Women: Gender Issues of Poverty Alleviation and Empowerment

In south Asian countries the GDP per capita for women is extremely low and is often less than half, or one-third of that of men. In India it is only 38% (Kelkar, 2005). This low GDP per capita for women is due to the reporting of women as economically less active, which is again determined by their low social status. Bhatty (1987) argued that this invisibility of women's work is to the elusive definition of 'work' given by economists and Census Commissioners. She also identified another reason for the non-recognition of women's economic contribution, which is the neglect of the household economy and the unorganised sector, in which women play an overwhelming role. According to Mazumdar (1985), unless the economic and social utility of women in the eyes of their family and nation by opportunities to take part in socially and economically productive roles is recognised, the national neglect of women will continue.