Microcredit

Ms. Nurjahan Begum, General Manager, Grameen Bank, Bangladesh is the coordinator for the South Asian Women’s Network on Microcredit.

Coordinator’s report for the South Asian Women’s Network on Microcredit

Action Plan

1.South Asian Women’s Network on Microcredit should include microcredit institutions that are targeting women beneficiaries, either 100% or very substantially.

2.All microcredit institutions included in this Network should share common objectives and philosophy, viz to help the destitute, the poorest of poor women in each South Asian country by offering them finances at the most reasonable rates of interest.

3.Training facilities can be developed to guide microcredit institutions in South Asian countries to better achieve the common objectives.

4.The Network can be developed at three levels :
(i) At national level,
(ii) As Network among South Asian countries,
(iii) The South Asian Women’s Network on Microcredit can interact with the other six South Asian Women’s Networks, respectively on Education, the Environment, Health and Nutrition, Women in Peacemaking, Crafts and Textiles, and Arts and Literature.

5. Develop networking and coordination through the following steps :
(i) E-newsletter,
(ii) Globally through a web page,
(iii) Particular focus on dissemination of information among South Asian countries,
(iv) Costs for this will be shared both by the Global and the MC Network participants.

6. Link the South Asian Women’s Network on Microcredit with other South Asian Women’s Networks so that the activities of women in other Networks can, as appropriate, benefit from availability of microcredit.

7. Encourage capacity building by sharing experiences and best practices among the microcredit institutions that are members of this Network. Some of these can be shared at the global level also, with the other South Asian Women’s Networks.

8. Consider appropriate legislation hat should be brought in and should be made mandatory in South Asian countries (and globally) to promote microcredit with the objective of reaching all poor women (with special focus on the poorest women) and also to prevent misuse or exploitation of microcredit institutions.

9. Political instability at national and South Asian levels works against bringing about the enabling environment for microcredit institutions to achieve their objective of helping destitute and the poorest of poor women.

10. Develop strategies for three segments or areas :
(i)Civil society,
(ii) Political parties,
(iii) Government.

11.Since the Conference does not yet have a separate Women’s Network on Energy, the Women’s Network on Microcredit can consider taking up issues relating to energy, because access to energy and helping the poorest women through microcredit are interconnected sectors.

12. Follow-up after the Conference :
(i) Some South Asian countries do not have a real microcredit programme. Projects can be devised to help them. The MC network and the Global Network can assist them both financially and technically.
(ii) Share information on activities of the South Asian Women’s Network on Microcredit through the Coordinator at all levels.
(iii) The South Asian Women’s Networks Coordinators will take the leading responsibility in mobilizing funds to be used for capacity building of institutions in a practical and effective manner, and will be actively assisted by every participant in the Network including the Coordinator of the MC Network.

Participants in the South Asian Women’s Network on Microcredit

1. Coordinator : Ms Nurjahan Begum, General Manager (Training and International Programmes), Grameen Bank, Bangladesh.
E-mail : nurjahan-gs@grameen.com
Mobile :

2. Ms Tabinda Alkanz Jaffery, Chief Executive, Asasah, Lahore, Pakistan.
E-mail :asasah@nexlinx.net.pk
Mobile :

3. Ms Kala Peiris, Executive Director, Siyath Foundation, Colombo, Sri Lanka
E-mail : kalaithk@yahoo.com
Mobile :

4. Mr Samit Ghosh, CEO,
Ujjivan Financial Services Pvt Ltd,
# 93, Jakkasandra Extension, Sarjapur Main Cross Road,
1st Block, Koramangala, Bangalore-560034
E-mail : samit.ghosh@ujjivan.com
Mobile : +91-99002-44441

5. Ms Benita Sarah Mathew,
Manager, R&D, ESAF, Bangalore
Corporate Office : 2nd Floor, Hephzibah Complex,
Mannuthy PO, Thrissur, Kerala-680651
E-mail : benita.sarah@gmail.com
Mobile : +91-9663555770

6. Ms Zareen Myles,
Executive Director,
Women’s Action for Development (WAFD),
WZ-34/5, Asalatpur,
A 2 Block, Janakpuri, New Delhi-110058
E-mail : wafd078@yahoo.co.in
zareen_myles17@yahoo.co.in
Mobile: +91-9868281915, +91-11-2561-0344

7. Dr Prabhakar,
Society for Rural Improvement (SRI)
E-mail : sriproject@sancharnet.in

8. Ms Saraswati Seresta,
Mahila Shahakari, Founder Chairperson of Women’s Cooperative Society (WCS), Nepal
E-mail : wcsbo@wlink.com.np

9. Ms Shaira Saleem,
Vice Chairperson, SAARC chamber Women Entrepreneurs’ Council (SCWEC),
Maldives
E-mail : shaira@sheri.com.mv