MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: The Tamil Nadu TAI Vizhudugal Federation (TAIVF) of India Provides Microfinance Loans to Self-Help Groups (SHGs) of Transgender People and “Marginalized” Women

The Tamil Nadu TAI Vizhudugal Federation (TAIVF) of India, an organization launched by the Tamil Nadu AIDS Initiative-Voluntary Health Services (TAI-VHS), has begun a program to provide microloans to 16 self-help groups (SHGs) of transgender people and “marginalised” women [1,2].As of January 29, 2010, each SHG has been given a loan of INR 50,000, the equivalent of over USD 1,082  [1]. The number of borrowers in each group remains unspecified [1]. According to B. Jayashree, a project official for the program, INR 1.2 million, the equivalent of over USD 25,000, of the total mobilized funds remain undisbursed [1]. A total of 30,000 borrowers have applied for the program [1]. TAIVF will lend to the SHGs at an interest rate of 12 percent per annum, and the SHGs will lend to their members at an interest rate of 24 percent per annum [1].

By Christopher Maggio, Research Assistant

Bibliography:
[1] Thaindian News article entitled ‘Microfinance scheme for transgenders, marginalised women’: http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/health/microfinance-scheme-for-transgenders-marginalised-women_100311839.html
[2] Tamil Nadu AIDS Initiative, Voluntary Health Services (TAI-VHS): http://www.taivhs.org/

Similar Posts: