Targeting Women in Micro-finance Schemes: Objectives and Outcomes

The ‘success’ of a development project, it is generally accepted, is related to the feasibility of its objectives within the socioeconomic conditions of the context in which the programme is to be implemented. What remains less categorical however, is the correspondence between the objectives of the programme design, and the aims of those who seek to implement it. So long as these goals are shared, the modifications in the design, necessitated by ground realities can be tackled accordingly, and the efficacy of the intervention can be gauged with reference to the convergent thrust. Non-conformity between the two, on the other hand, can result in an under utilisation of the potential that may exist for the translation of defined objectives into practical measures, for the pursuit of desired outcomes.