Does microfinance redefine identity, income and insecurity among rural women? A model of women’s empowerment

This paper describes how JEEViKA, a microfinance project supported by the World Bank and Government of Bihar, has addressed women’s insecurity in the absence of identity and income. JEEViKA’s home-grown model of community resource persons created identity with enhanced income options as a sub-set of micro-finance. This study suggests that the name, norms and network of women created by the project translate into enhanced capacity, choices, and cohesion among the rural women. The paper concludes by recommending microfinance as a means to redefine identity, income, and insecurity for women’s empowerment in the context of rural livelihoods.