In the media we often hear about Afghanistan in the context of war, poverty, or budgeting. What we do not often see is how the lives of Afghani citizens have been impacted over the course of its tumultuous history. As a nation continually plagued by war, how can Afghanistan ever be stable? In my research I focused on the intersection of gender and economic development. Researching the economic development of women led me to look more specifically at micro-financing as a tool of development. Micro-financing or micro-credit is a small loan given to individuals of low economic status. The intent of these loans is to allow the individual to be a contributing member of the economy. These loans help members of lesser-developed nations to improve their lives.
Female economic development is an important and relevant topic in lesser-developed nations, particularly in the Middle East where cultural barriers often determine the ability of a woman to function in society. Micro-finance loans are beneficial to these women and their families because women are more likely to save money or spend it on crucial items for development such as food, vaccines, and education. Women prove to be smarter “spenders” then men in developing nations.
In looking at scholarly articles and reports on micro-financing I evaluated the effectiveness of various methodologies of lending. All of these methods are intended to improve the financial status of the individuals who they provide loans to and their families. During my research I analyzed the effectiveness of each methodology in targeting women, providing loans in rural areas of Afghanistan, and receiving returns on the initial investment. Micro-financing is an important method in allowing nations and individuals to develop, but like any method there are flaws. Particular models prove to be more effective at certain aspects of development than others. Often the greatest benefit of micro-financing is not the money itself but the independence it provides these women and their families.
Another great benefit of micro-financing is that most of the lenders are also providing job or skill training. This allows many women to develop skills that they otherwise would lack. When these women are able to run economically productive businesses their husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons have often come to show far more respect for these women (often seeing their lives as economically valuable for the first time). While the reality for women in Afghanistan is currently bleak, micro-financing will be a key tool in enabling Afghan women to advance their political and economic situation as well as that of their families.
Women are never stronger than when they arm themselves with their weakness.
–Madame Marie de Deffand, Letters to Voltaire
In June I began a journey into the world of research as part of Saint Joseph's University's Summer Scholars Program. This program involves paid research conducted over the course of the summer under the mentorship of a professor. Throughout this summer I have been researching women's economic status in Afghanistan.
Often the association made with Afghanistan is war, death, Taliban, and September 11th. "What is going on?" is a good question, but "why is this going on?" is a better one. We need to look at the reasons behind the grim situation in Afghanistan. My proposal for the Summer Scholars project was to look at Women's Economic Development in Afghanistan. The following is some information about my project and about the conclusions I have drawn from it:
The main conclusions I have drawn so far is that micro-financing is a very effective way of empowering women. It increases the availability of education and health care for women as well as their families. Women repay micro-loans at rates upwards of 95%. When financial choices are in the hands of women they tend to benefit the whole family rather than just males and male children (as they generally will if males are making financial choices). Giving women the opportunity to open businesses and take out loans also gives them a voice in male dominated societies. In Afghanistan the issue of culture is always relevant. One thing that I think many people do not realize is that the Taliban did not come into power until after the Soviet Army moved out of Afghanistan. This means that while the current generation has grown up forced to wear veils and plagued by war, their mothers grew up in a far more liberated time period for women. One major problem is that many women of childbearing age are uneducated. When women are uneducated it leaves a shortage of teachers and a greater likelihood that children will continue the cycle of poverty. By providing micro-loans to women the next generation is far more likely to be educated.
In order to achieve these conclusions I have been in contact with MIFA, which is the governing body for micro-finance institutions in Afghanistan. I have also been contacting micro-finance institutions individually. Another great resource has been international and American organizations working in Afghanistan. Since I cannot currently go to Afghanistan I am relying on secondary data.
For me the project has opened my eyes to new ways to help others help themselves. Going to a Jesuit university the idea of education as a way to empower the impoverished always comes to mind when discussing lesser-developed nations. Learning about micro-financing has made me realize how crucial it is to provide others with the opportunity to make choices. When parents can feed their children and provide their families with health care they are far more likely to send their children to schools. It certainly has made me value the opportunities that I have had.
One additional thing that has come about both in service projects I have done through SJU and in conducting this research is the old cliché that "knowledge is power." As a student I cannot provide funding or change how governments choose to provide aid. I can, however, tell my friends and others about the conditions others are living under domestically and internationally.
Three Cups of Tea- Most of us are lucky enough to have had the opportunity to receive an education. In America we often even take education for granted (lets be honest I have complained about going to class) but in a place where school is not a right who will provide it? Read this New York Times Bestseller to find out! I promise even if “you aren’t into feminist stuff”(I will not embarrass the friend who I am quoting) you will enjoy the story of Greg Mortenson.
Microfinance Times (not a book but this is what my research is all about!)- Produced by MISFA. MISFA is a LLC which operates in Afghanistan as a way for the Afghan government and international donors can build up their microfinance sector. Here is a link for everyone: http://www.misfa.org.af/index.php?page=en_Newsletter (May, 2010 Issue)
Academic Books- Gender in Third World Politics, Gendering World Politics, Global Gender Issues in the New Millennium, Modernizing Women: Gender & Social Change in the Middle East, and Bananas Beaches & Bases.
Articles-
Finance: Getting Women from Micro to Mezzo, Ritu Sharma; Bloomberg Businessweek 5/4/2010
The Heart of the Matter The Security of Women and the Security of States, Hudson Caprioli, & Ballif-Spanvill; International Security Vol 33 Num. 3 Winter 08/09 p. 7-45
Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving? Anthropological Reflections on Cultural Relativism and Its Others, Lila Abu-Lughod; American Anthropologists Sept 2002
A Tale of Two Countries: State, Society, and Gender Politics in Iran and Afghanistan, Valentine M. Moghadam; State, Society, and Gender Politics
Islamic Feminism and Its Discontents: Toward a Resolution of the Debate, Valentine M. Moghadam; Signs Summer 2002
Unveiled: Voices of Women in Afghanistan, Harriet Logan
The Social Market Roots of Democratic Peace, Michael Mousseau
**Just to be upfront about this I have never written a blog before. I am writing this for two reasons: one is that I want to keep track of the work I am doing and the other is so that others will learn about Afghanistan, gender issues, and micro-financing. Please leave comments and suggest books!!!
