Can Access to Microfinance Reduce HIV Prevalence among Women?

Abstract

Microfinance has been heralded by many as the magic bullet, able to empower marginalized populations by investing into their agency. It has been growing at an average rate of about 40%, and providers have shown interest in reducing HIV prevalence and promoting health educational attainment among beneficiaries’ children especially among women who are vulnerable in most societies. Advocates of microfinance interventions have often stated it aims at improving lives by enabling clients to launch and nurture their own small businesses and enterprises so that they can become independent and improve their livelihoods. However, complementary to microfinance strategy is to assist clients in generating income and growing assets from the impact of crises events such as HIV and related diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis. Sub-Saharan Africa as compared to the rest of the world faces a serious HIV epidemic and the poor in general and women in particular are mostly at risk. This group of people is also the target for microfinance initiatives. The study reviews some theoretical and empirical literature about poverty, HIV and microfinance. The chapter establishes the fact that if microfinance can reduce poverty then it could also be used as a tool for preventing HIV infection. Policy recommendation that will enable microfinance institutions to contribute to the prevention of HIV, and its related diseases are offered.