‘Vulnerability Mapping’ and an understanding of Capabilities: A study in/of Kerala

• In Event: Labor and Labor Movements Section Refereed Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Roundtable 9: Alternative Solidarities, Cooperation, and Consumer Alliances

Abstract

Microfinance is a burgeoning area across the globe creating complex relations between Global North and South, not least in terms of financial relations but also impacting the micro-realities of women in the form of ‘unintended consequences’ by creating capabilities through their lived experiences. A major impact has been on the work done by the rural women who are a part of the Self Help Groups involved in the microfinance activities. To enhance these activities, the State Poverty Eradication Mission of Kerala, more commonly known as Kudumbashree, was established in 1997 and comprises of a federation of Self Help Groups (SHGs) of women. The cornerstone of the movement were the microfinance activities conducted by members of the SHGs. The field narratives offer a picture as to how social capital and solidarity built-in Kudumbashree have allowed it to participate as collaborator with the State to undertake vulnerability mapping. This paper suggests that the State does not want to take the responsibility of being the implementing authority and/or remain the focal institution to address these challenges and provide solutions. This results in shifting the burden of maintaining security and addressing vulnerabilities on the SHG women and makes the institutional locus ambiguous to reduce the extent of contribution. Employing an understanding of capability approach espoused by Sen (1999) and Nussbaum (2002), the paper attempts to look at the opportunities and liberties exercised by the women to demonstrate their ‘collective capability’ and the challenges associated with this approach, through relevant case studies collected through ethnographic fieldwork done over a period of two years in the districts of Kerala.

Author

• Aditi Dey Sarkar, Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies