Guérin Isabelle, Kumar S., Agier I. (2013). Women's empowerment : power to act or power over other women ? Lessons from Indian microfinance. Oxford Development Studies, 41 (Suppl. 1), p. S76-S94. ISSN 1360-0818.
Titre du document
Women's empowerment : power to act or power over other women ? Lessons from Indian microfinance
Année de publication
2013
Type de document
Article
Auteurs
Guérin Isabelle, Kumar S., Agier I.
Source
Oxford Development Studies, 2013,
41 (Suppl. 1), p. S76-S94 ISSN 1360-0818
In the microfinance industry, empowerment is often described as a means to facilitate female emancipation from male domination. This paper draws on women's testimonies to highlight the fundamental importance of women's relationships with one another in this process. Women continuously negotiate a position between their kinship groups and neighbours, in a context where dependence on men is considered natural. Micro-credit uses are shaped by, and embody, relationships between women, including power relationships. We recommend revising current understandings of female agency to take into account the complex relationship between agency and power and challenge the conventional polarity of power as domination (power over) and power as agency (power to). In many cases, even where there is solidarity between women, women having agency require or imply domination over other women.
Plan de classement
Développement, politique de développement, projets de développement [095DEVEL]
;
Comportements et pratiques sociales [106GESOC2]
Descripteurs
ACCES AU CREDIT ; CONDITION FEMININE ; INDEPENDANCE ; AUTONOMIE ; POUVOIR ; ROLE DES FEMMES ; PROMOTION FEMININE ; TRAVAIL DES FEMMES ; SOCIETE RURALE ; ENTRAIDE ; RELATION DE GENRE ; INTERDEPENDANCE ; DOMINATION ; RAPPORTS SOCIAUX ; BUDGET FAMILIAL ; MICROFINANCE ; MICROCREDIT ; SOLIDARITE ; ENTREPRENEURIAT
