Microcredit: Strengthening local autonomy

Microcredit for women

The lack of access to credit at affordable interest rates is one of the impediments to the poorest of the poor being able to climb their way to a better future. When such communities can find a loan, it from the local money-lenders whose high interest rates are often insurmountable. They then slide down the spiral of endebtedness to an even deeper level of poverty.

Together with our partner Antenna Green Trust (AGT), we have launched the first microcredit programme of Antenna Technologies in the States of Tamil Nadu. It will enable rural women to free themselves from the rapacious clutches of local loan sharks, and to have the means to combat the pattern of malnutrition of which they and their children are the first victim.

Self-help groups of women have established themselves with support from AGT, and have joined the microcredit programme. In this, Antenna disburses small loans for the basic needs of their families and for setting up their micro-entreprises. At the same time, AGT provides a form of social security cover for the beneficiary communities, supports educational programmes and provides financial assistance for administering the women’s micro-entreprises.

Under the programme so far, 16,000 village women have been enable to improve their quality of life.

Learn more: www.antennaindia.org