ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that the idea of dignity should be foundational in women’s empowerment programming. It draws on Dalit feminist literature and feminist adaptations and critiques of Immanuel Kant to show that dignity must be a cornerstone in understanding empowerment. This chapter further provides a framework for feminist dignity which outlines how a programme should address dignity. This framework asks practitioners to question whether a programme enables a sense of self-worth, respect from others, a holistic vision of dignity and dignity for the most marginalised. This chapter explores this framework through providing detailed analysis of examples of how dignity is addressed in microcredit self-help group programming in West Bengal, India.
