The Grameen Bank in Bangladesh: Helping Poor Women with Credit for Self-Employment

Summary

Social work with poor women should include options for self-employment as avenues out of poverty. The Grameen Bank of Bangladesh exemplifies one micro-lending strategy to overcome traditional barriers and assist very poor women to earn an income and participate in the local economy. Credit lending principles combined with social development goals are highlighted, and the impact of this model discussed in terms of its success in alleviating poverty. Transferability of the model to the United States is discussed, and implications for social work offered.