The Debt Trap
A national public hearing by AIDWA reveals the devastating impact of microfinance exploitation on thousands of women across India, trapping them in a cycle of rising indebtedness and despair.
9,000
Women Surveyed
21
States Covered
100
Villages Reached
Voices from the Ground
This section delves into the heart of the issue, presenting the key findings from AIDWA's extensive grassroots survey. Interact with the cards below to explore the consistent patterns of exploitation and hardship faced by women across the country.
Key Findings & Testimonies
Seeking Justice: The Public Hearing
To bring these findings to national attention and demand accountability, AIDWA convened a public hearing. This forum brought together victims, activists, and a panel of distinguished experts to evaluate the evidence and recommend a path forward.
The Eminent Jury
Justice Madan B Lokur
Former Judge, Supreme Court
Prabhat Patnaik
Economist
Pamela Philipose
Journalist
Kirti Singh
Lawyer
A Call for Systemic Change
Based on the overwhelming evidence and testimonies, AIDWA is pressing for immediate and decisive action. These demands represent the essential steps needed to protect vulnerable women and reform the microfinance sector.
Robust Regulation
Implement and enforce strict regulations on MFIs to curb predatory lending practices and ensure fair treatment of borrowers.
Immediate Relief
Provide immediate debt relief for women trapped in cycles of over-indebtedness, including waivers and restructuring of loans.
Affordable Credit
Create and promote structural changes to ensure the rural poor have access to secure, affordable, and state-supported credit.
Accountability
Hold government bodies and financial institutions accountable for their failure to protect the economic rights of women.
