Isabelle Guérin

Isabelle Guérin, a Senior Research Fellow focused on gender and debt, explores the intersection of kinship, sexuality, and capitalism in her recent work. She discusses the gendered nature of debt, particularly how Dalit women in Tamil Nadu navigate a biased credit market. The podcast delves into the moral pressures surrounding debt repayment that affect women's identities and agency. Guérin reveals how women's bodies become viewed as collateral and highlights their active roles in sustaining families amidst economic constraints. This deep ethnographic study sheds light on the broader implications of women's debt in capitalist society.

Isabelle Guérin, a Senior Research Fellow and expert on gender and debt, joins to discuss her groundbreaking work on Dalit women's experiences with debt in Tamil Nadu. She highlights how gender shapes borrowing and repayment, exposing the intricate link between capitalism and womanhood. Guérin introduces the concept of the "sexual division of debt," revealing how systemic pressures and societal norms push women into precarious financial situations. The conversation also touches on the role of transactional relationships in managing debt and the complexities of women's financial agency.

Isabelle Guérin, a senior researcher specializing in political economy and gender, delves into her latest work on debt and women in rural India. She explores how capitalist systems specifically target Dalit women for credit, revealing the intricate relationship between debt, kinship, and sexuality. The concept of the sexual division of debt highlights how differing access and repayment strategies shape women's experiences. Guérin also discusses ethical challenges related to transactional sex in debt negotiations, emphasizing women's active roles in financial capitalism.