Newsweek recently conducted an interview with Gayle Tzemach Lemmon who has spent years researching female entrepreneurs in Afghanistan. She has a new book out called Dressmaker of Khair Khana
According to Ms. Lemmon:
Microfinance is a part of the solution, but it should not be confused with the solution.
Read the full interview here: Gayle Tzemach Lemmon on Female-Focused Loans – Newsweek.
Sophie,
Thanks for the mention of the article and the book. Hope you might make one of the book events around The Dressmaker of Khair Khana (dates at http://www.gaylelemmon.com) . The blogging is great and I enjoyed the site. Best with your terrific work – Gayle
Gayle,
Thank you for your positive comment. Many of the women in our MPA program are interested in working in microfinance and it is something that we discuss quite often as a policy tool. I’ve always been wary of the argument that it can be used to “cure” poverty but I rarely hear otherwise. Thus when I read your interview, I appreciated your well reasoned and nuanced argument – that microfinance is just one of many tools available to policy makers, NGOs and international organizations.
Though I live in Paris, I will just so happen to be in DC the week of March 15th to take the Foreign Service oral interviews. I would love to attend the event on either March 17th or 19th and chat with you in further detail.
Thank you & congratulations again on your extraordinary book. – Sophie