Money-Go-Rounds The Importance of ROSCAs for Women [Paperback]

On most continents - from the USA to Africa and Asia - various forms of rotating savings and credit associations (ROSCAs) serve men and women of the community, often as their major -- and sometimes their only -- savings institution. ROSCAs are self-help money-pooling associations with participants who agree to make regular contributions to a fund which is given, in whole or in part, to each contributor in rotation. Many ROSCAs have elaborate systems to cope with inflation, default and the distribution of benefits. In providing important social and welfare resources they constitute valuable social capital.This unique volume of case studies by an international group of experts, which examines ROSCAs on a worldwide basis, will be of interest to anyone studying or concerned with anthropology, economics, women's issues, and especially the welfare of the less developed countries and immigrant communities in 'the West'.Mrs Shirley Ardener Centre for Cross-Cultural Research on Women,University of Oxford Sandra Burman Senior Member of the Centre for Cross-Cultural Research on Women, University of Oxford and Director of the Socio-legal Unit, University of Cape Town

This is an eloquent and profound volume of essays that evinces both scholarship and discernment, which enhance our understanding of ROSCAs as well as the significance of women in financial decision making in the family. C. Michael Henry, Yale University

The book was like a breath of fresh air because it is all about keeping the art and science of lending money very simple ... not only relevant reading for the general public and those who are involved in banking, but for high flyers who have lost or are losing money in the rarefied atmosphere of derivatives, it is definitely a reality check. Journal of African Economies

 ... this volume represents an important stage in the development and application of methodology and the production of usable material in this field of study.ls*