Principles and Techniques of Veterinary and AH Extension

GENDER ISSUES REGARDING ACCESS TO CAPITAL AND KNOWLEDGE

• As a general rule, men have easier access to government provided credit than women. Women are rarely considered creditworthy because they have no collateral. In addition, they are not used to frequent governmental or official institutions without their husbands consent and being accompanied.
• However,of late women have developed their small credit/loan systems (Self Help Groups).Credit funds and revolving savings of women's groups are common in many parts of Indiain the recent times.
• The members of the group save a certain amount of money which is then granted to one of the women as a loan and the social control guarantees that loans are repaid. Other credit systems consist of loans for purchase of animals, processing of milk and milk products.  Generally, these systems only function at the village level, often between neighbours, where social control can be assured.