Architects of Financial Inclusion for Women
2017 was a year of big social, cultural and political upheaval for women around the world.
Amidst these changes, I can see that our work is more important and more impactful than ever, because access to finance gives women a stronger voice and greater opportunity. But the ripple effect of women’s financial inclusion extends far beyond an individual woman and her family. Financial service providers see improved financial performance once they design and market products that meet women’s needs. And countries that invest in closing the gender gap accelerate economic growth and distribute the benefits of that growth to more of their citizens.
Women’s World Banking is the architect of a world where women thrive, businesses flourish, and economies grow. We’ve got the blueprint: join us in making our plans a reality.
Mary Ellen Iskenderian,
President & CEO
@meiskenderian
Our Blueprint
Market-driven solutions
With deep intelligence about the barriers women face and the macro-economic environment, we design solutions that are commercially-viable and directly meet women’s needs.
Gender Lens Investing
By requiring rigorous data collection related to gender diversity within the institution and outreach to women clients, we drive stronger institutions.
Leadership & Diversity
We provide organizations with the tools and programs needed to build powerful, gender-diverse teams to meet tomorrow’s challenges.
By working with a global network of local partners, we’re able to reach more women with solutions tailored to their needs.
Women around the world
Institutions
in
Countries
In new donor funds to improve women’s lives.
By joining Women’s World Banking in its mission to drive economic opportunity for all, organizations can learn from peers from around the world, be the first to gain new insights on the women’s market, and gain a competitive advantage by serving the largest emerging market there is – women. Join us.
Women in Nigeria and Tanzania received savings and credit products.
WatchOf Egypt’s Lead Foundation now have insurance to protect against the financial burdens of medical emergencies.
Read moreIn Mexico received digital welfare payments through the Prospera Digital program.
Read moreOur challenge was to reach women in isolated villages across a sprawling country. So, we developed an agent banking model by teaming the leading mobile financial provider, JazzCash, with Unilever Pakistan’s vast network of Guddi Baajis female retail agents.
Learn moreFor over four decades, we’ve brought low-income women around the world into the financial system. We’re focused on these 4 areas of the product life cycle.
Photo courtesy of Unilever Pakistan
Invested in
Across
Collectively serving
Our unique approach to gender lens investing is designed to drive the greatest impact. By measuring internal gender diversity and external client outreach, we bring a comprehensive approach to gender lens investing.
Women leader participants have a greater scope of responsibility
Senior executive mentors are supporting the women leaders’ professional development
The next phase of our Leadership & Diversity curriculum is here. In 2018 we’ll be offering advanced training in women-centered design and innovation and launching a leadership & diversity program for regulators.
Learn more
Participants
from
Countries
New York
Southeast Asia
“We must go beyond business as usual and increase our efforts toward financial inclusion for women, especially the poor.”
H.E. Samia Sululu Hassan Vice President, United Republic of Tanzania (Speaking at Making Finance Work for Women Summit, October 2017)
“Improving a woman’s financial access brings with it a “multiplier effect” that will be critical to realizing the potential of financial inclusion for reducing poverty and driving economic growth.”
Mary Ellen Iskenderian
(Testifying before the US House Foreign Affairs Committee)
Women’s World Banking is governed by a Board of Directors that has fiduciary responsibility over the organization, charged with approving our policies, strategies, and annual budgets. Each board member is a recognized leader in banking, finance, business, law, community organizing or women’s economic participation. This powerful combination of leaders from a variety of disciplines enhances the organization and ensures that the work of Women’s World Banking is both relevant and grounded.
Thank you Marleen H.J. van den Horst for her board service, which concluded in 2017.
Friends of WWB/USA, Inc. supports the global mission of Women’s World Banking by raising donations from foundations, corporations, and individuals across the U.S. Chartered as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, its Board of Directors is comprised of leaders in law, business, marketing, finance, and academia who provide fundraising capability and strategic guidance on Women’s World Banking’s global initiatives and U.S presence.
The Africa Advisory Council advocates for women’s financial inclusion across Africa and helps to inform our strategy across the region. It was formed in 2014 as part of the Financial Sector Deepening Africa Program, under the auspices of the Department for International Development in the U.K.
At Women’s World Banking we value our core funding partners, in part, because they make our operations possible. But, as allies working toward increased gender equality and financial inclusion, we also value the reciprocal relationship we have with them as well. We’re proud of our partnership with these leaders in the development community and are grateful for their strategic insight and continued financial support.
