Explore the latest global and regional insights from Women’s World Banking’s work in policy, leadership, women’s entrepreneurship, gender lens investing, and more.
The price of violence is economic. The solution can be, too. Behind many closed doors, violence is an everyday reality—especially for women in low-income countries. For millions, safety, autonomy, and economic participation are undermined long before they ever reach a bank branch or mobile wallet screen. In this Vault Release,
As aid retreats and climate impacts increase, can investors step in where governments can’t? The battleground for influence just may be shifting from parliaments to portfolios. In this conversation with the Manager Partner of Women’s World Banking Asset Management Emerging Market Funds, we explore how gender-lens investing is being defined as both a moral and market imperative — and what it really takes to turn
What does the rise of instant payments, CBDCs, and buy-now-pay-later innovations mean for global financial systems—and for the women too often left at the edges of them? In this episode of Making Finance Work for Women, we speak with David Marsh, Chairman and Co-Founder of OMFIF, whose upcoming book Can
Crypto is redefining value. But what does this mean for people too often left behind by traditional finance—especially women? In this episode of Making Finance Work for Women, we sit down with Rebecca Carvatt, Partner at EY Financial Services Consulting. With nearly two decades of experience scaling digital banks and
The 2025 Global Findex is here—and it’s making headlines. In this special episode, Women’s World Banking President & CEO Mary Ellen Iskenderian joins Leora Klapper, Lead Economist at the World Bank and architect of the Findex, for an exclusive first look at what the data reveals about women’s financial inclusion
Traditional credit products often ignore the lived realities of women entrepreneurs—requiring collateral they don’t own, loan terms they can’t meet, and scoring models that fail to see their value. In this episode, we unpack groundbreaking findings from Innovations for Poverty Action’s latest evidence review on what it truly takes to
In honor of Mother’s Day, we’re taking a closer look at the role of credit access in unlocking economic mobility for women. Women contribute an estimated $8 trillion USD of global GDP through unpaid labor—nearly three times more than men—yet they still face a staggering $1.7 trillion gap in access
What if lenders could see a climate shock coming—and adjust your repayment plan before it hits? In this episode of Making Finance Work for Women, we sit down with Puneet Gupta, CEO of Kaleidofin, to talk about a breakthrough in credit scoring that blends cutting-edge machine learning with human-centered design.
What if your ability to open a bank account determined whether you could survive childbirth? Or if a lack of credit meant you couldn’t access life-saving healthcare? Financial systems and public health might seem like separate worlds, but they’re deeply intertwined—especially for women. In this episode of Making Finance Work
In our 20th episode of The Making Finance Work for Women Podcast and as we approach Women’s History Month, we sit down with Inés Páez, a powerhouse in digital finance, fintech regulation, and financial inclusion, to explore why women’s leadership is essential in shaping the future of financial systems. As
Behind the closed doors of many homes, violence is a harsh reality—especially for women in low-income countries. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Anita Kemi DaSilva-Ibru, founder of the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF), to explore the intersection of finance and gender-based violence. With one in three
As the year comes to a close, join us for a special December episode of the Making Finance Work for Women podcast, “A Moment of Reflection: Insights from the Leaders of Women’s World Banking.” In this inspiring conversation, we sit down with the CEO, COO, and Executive VP of Regional Client Services to reflect on the year’s achievements, lessons learned, and the remarkable individuals who drive Women’s World Banking’s mission. From celebrating strides in women’s financial inclusion to exploring resilience in the face of global challenges, this episode offers heartfelt stories, lighthearted moments, and visionary perspectives for the year ahead. Don’t miss this reflective and uplifting conclusion to 2024!
Research indicates that female leaders are more likely to champion climate action and sustainability, yet perceptions of their leadership have declined in G7 countries, with only 49% comfortable having a woman as CEO and 47% comfortable with women as heads of government. In this episode of Making Finance Work for Women, we explore why we hesitate to embrace female leaders, especially in the context of climate change—a crisis that disproportionately affects women. In climate-vulnerable countries, women MSMEs face challenges to resilience of their businesses and need financial tools to adapt to new climate realities. Join us as we speak with Buhle Goslar, a fintech leader with over two decades of cross-continental experience and a fellow inclusive finance advocate, to discuss the unique insights women bring to leadership, their commitment to sustainability, and the barriers they face. Tune in to challenge stereotypes and envision a future where female leadership drives global solutions.
Did you know that 840 million women in climate-vulnerable countries would find it difficult or impossible to cover the cost of an emergency? In this episode of the Making Finance Work for Women Podcast, we sit down with an economist turned fintech founder, Rose Goslinga (President & Co-Founder, Pula) who returned to her African roots to protect farmers against weather shocks.
Did you know that 753 million women in climate-vulnerable countries do not have an active bank account or e-wallet and women who are financially excluded are most likely to live in a climate-vulnerable region? In this episode of Making Finance Work for Women, we sit down with one of Reuters’ “Trailblazing Women in Climate for 2024” to challenge the traditional focus on resilience and survival during climate shocks.
In Episode 14 of the Making Finance Work for Women podcast, we’re exploring the cutting edge of fintech, where innovation meets inclusion. We’ll unpack the gender gap among fintech founders, delve into how emerging technologies like AI are reshaping the industry, and tackle the crucial issues of privacy, trust, and financial health.
In Episode 13 of the Making Finance Work for Women podcast, we explore the groundbreaking Global Gender-Smart Fund (GGSF) with Ruurd Brouwer, Board Chair of GGSF and CEO of TCX. Discover Ruurd’s journey into gender lens investing and learn about the innovative fund designed to achieve $700 million in assets
In Episode 12 of the Making Finance Work for Women podcast, we dive into the transformative potential of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and their implications for women worldwide. With over 120 CBDC pilots and projects currently in development, these digital currencies promise to revolutionize financial inclusion.
In Episode 11 of the Making Finance Work for Women podcast, Jo Ann Barefoot, CEO of AIR, discusses integrating a gendered perspective into financial consumer protection, strategies for inclusion, and balancing innovation with regulation as nearly one billion women enter the formal financial system.
In Episode 10 of the Making Finance Work for Women podcast, Dr. Jennifer Riria discusses the intersection of climate change and digital financial inclusion. Learn about innovative solutions to combat climate change while empowering women through financial inclusion, and explore the transformative potential of climate-conscious finance.
In episode 9 of The Making Finance Work for Women Podcast, we embark on a compelling exploration of the evolution of fintech, recognizing the pivotal yet underrepresented role of women leaders in this burgeoning industry. As fintech matures, it is crucial to acknowledge the responsibility that accompanies its growth.
In episode 8 of Making Finance Work for Women, we delve into cryptocurrency’s potential for financial inclusion. Explore its promises and challenges, from decentralization to market volatility. Join Sonja Kelly and Sheila Warren as they discuss whether crypto can bridge economic gaps or faces fundamental obstacles.
Sonja Kelly from Women’s World Banking and Leora Klapper from the World Bank highlight global progress made by fintechs, regulators, and others in financial inclusion. They also provide insights on anticipated developments in the finance ecosystem for 2024. Tune in to Women’s World Banking’s Making Finance Work for Women (MFWW) Podcast for expert discussions on transformative finance solutions.
This episode delves into the pivotal role of physical touch points in the digital age for engaging women customers and promoting their financial inclusion. Sonja Kelly (Global VP, Women’s World Banking) and Simone di Castri (Co-Head, Cambridge Suptech Labs) discuss fintech innovations, banking agents, financial capability, and digital solutions for reaching last-mile customers. Join us in exploring these crucial issues on Women’s World Banking’s Making Finance Work for Women (MFWW) Podcast.
This episode explores gender-focused investment strategies and their role in ESG investing, with a focus on social impact. Sonja Kelly (Global VP, Women’s World Banking) and Ivan Chew, CFA (Director of Impact, BrightLight Group) discuss the transformative potential of investing in women’s economic empowerment. Join us on Women’s World Banking’s Making Finance Work for Women (MFWW) Podcast for expert insights into financial inclusion and social impact investing.
In this episode, we examine how women are disproportionately impacted by economic crises and conflicts, focusing on their struggle to maintain financial stability during displacement. Join Sonja Kelly (Global VP, Women’s World Banking) and Inna Bielianska (GM, MetLife Ukraine) as they discuss solutions for women’s financial inclusion in crises on Women’s World Banking’s Making Finance Work for Women (MFWW) Podcast.
Host Sonja Kelly (Global VP, Women’s World Banking) and guest Aniqa Sandhu (CEO, Digicel Group) discuss mobile network companies’ role in boosting women’s internet usage and effective financial capability building. Despite improved coverage, 3.2 billion people remain unconnected, disproportionately impacting women. Join us on Women’s World Banking’s Making Finance Work for Women (MFWW) Podcast as we delve into solutions for women’s financial inclusion.
Join Sonja Kelly, Global VP of Women’s World Banking, as she discusses blockchain’s potential for financial inclusion with expert Conor Svensson. Explore how blockchain and cryptocurrency can empower women financially on Women’s World Banking’s Making Finance Work for Women (MFWW) Podcast.
Join Sonja Kelly, Global VP of Women’s World Banking, as she discusses with ethicist Reid Blackman the ethical implications of AI in financial services. Explore how to mitigate biases in algorithm-enabled credit decisions to promote financial inclusion for women on Women’s World Banking’s Making Finance Work for Women (MFWW) Podcast.
