Microfinance has been widely recognized today as an effective tool in combating
poverty and empowering the world's marginalized populations. Case studies have
highlighted its potential role in creating social capital and advancing human
development. Women throughout the world contribute to the economic growth and
sustainable livelihoods of their families and communities. Most of the
microfinance programmes target only women - the most vulnerable segment of the
society. Women and Microfinance is an attempt to investigate the relationship
between microfinance and women in Rajasthan. Rajasthan, a predominately feudal
society, is a relatively backward state with respect to microfinance movement.
With low literacy rate among women, sparsely distributed population in