Readers of Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn's bestselling book Half the Sky might recognize the name Goretti Nyabenda: she was profiled in the book as an example of an empowered woman who was able to transform her status in her community, her economic situation, and her relationship with her husband after joining a CARE village savings and loan group in which she pooled her savings and took out a loan from the savings group to start her own business. At the 2010 National CARE conference in Washington, D.C., Goretti was the recipient of the "I am Powerful Award," which honors a woman who has worked with CARE programs to change her own life and the life of her family and community. IMOW's Vice President of Programs and Exhibitions Catherine King spoke with Goretti about what she has learned from microfinance.  

We know that when women organize and participate in the economy, their household incomes increase, allowing them to invest in their families' health care, food and education and providing a solid foundation for stability and development in their communities. But in developing countries where there is widespread gender discrimination and little or no industry or private sector jobs, women often have to create their own economic opportunity. That is where CARE's microfinance programs--which provide financial services for the poor--can make a difference. Phil Borges took photographs of women participating in CARE's village savings and loan associations.