The document discusses the history and current state of credit programs targeting women in India. It notes that international conferences in the 1970s began seriously considering women's access to credit. In India, subsequent five-year plans from 1980-2007 included goals of empowering women economically and socially through increased access to credit and formation of self-help groups. Currently, most self-help groups in India are composed of women, who studies show are more likely than men to use extra income on family needs like healthcare, education and nutrition.