Women’s ability to influence husband’s decision making due to access to savings services is noteworthy!!

I believe that one of the key merits of ‘financial savings’ to the poor (”anaonimity”) is often missed or underestimated by many professionals, practitioners.

Unlike other forms of savings (savings in jewellery, animals, etc) ”financial savings’ are NOT visible — and so no one can know how much the saver accumulated. The advantage to the saver is that it can not be claimed by others (borrowers, husbands, etc). This can thus be a great source of empowerment (bargaining power) for the saver, as we have observed in many areas, including Uganda.

The effect on empwerment, and promoting gender equality can be enhanced if such programmes are accompanied by some ‘capacity building’ or awareness on gender using the group forums. The WEMAN programme in Uganda (Kassesse district among others) supported by Oxfam-Novib, HIVOS and IFAD, etc has learned a lot on this.

You may want to visit the WEMAN web (www.wemanglobal.org) and http://www.genfinance.info

Thanks and Regards

Getaneh
Mail – getanehg2002@yahoo.com