Re-Evaluating the Role of Micro-Credit in Women's Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation:

In Lusaka, as is the case elsewhere in the country, micro-credit has been seen as the 'ideal' tool for women's empowerment and poverty alleviation. It is believed that the availability of 'affordable' credit on 'fair' terms is central to the advancement of women's micro-enterprises - invariably leading to their empowerment and poverty alleviation. However, in spite of the increase in programmes providing credit for enterprise development, there has been little impact on the women involved in terms of empowerment and poverty alleviation.