ABSTRACT
This chapter explores whether belonging to a microcredit self-help group programme can result in transformative change for women, leading to enduring empowerment. It gives a brief overview of the key features and current state of global microcredit programming. It then provides contextual detail on the growth of microcredit and self-help group programming in West Bengal, India and provides an overview of significant developments in the state. This chapter then concludes by introducing the reader to the case studies which this research was based on.
