Microfinance: Development as Freedom (original) (raw)

Microfinance is an important strategy in alleviating poverty. Underpinning microfinance initiatives is the aim of providing greater financial choice to those who are marginalised. To further our understanding of how microfinance initiatives achieve this, it is worthwhile to view microfinance through the lens of Amartya Sen's "development as freedom" (1999) framework and the work of Michael Sherraden (1991) on asset-building policies. A range of examples of microfinance initiatives currently active in Australia will be discussed.