11. Is microcredit thé magic cure against poverty?

No, unfortunately not. There are know cases of people that could not repay their loan and got into a debt trap, and cases of increased violence between husbands and wives. Microfinance services really need to be adapted to low income peoples needs and possibilities. Loans should only be provided to people who will be able to repay. It should not be provided in cases of absence of economic possibilities, nor when people are too dependent on one risky activity, for example one agricultural crop, nor to women whose husband will appropriate the loan against her will and the woman be left with the debt. In certain cases other instruments are needed, like healthcare, education and women empowerment tools before microfinance can be deployed.