Driving Women's Financial Inclusion at All Levels
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.
Latest Posts
The Pandemic Impact on Women in India: Insights on Financial Resilience & Fallback Position
The COVID-19 pandemic affected women in India in many ways. A Women’s World Banking survey conducted in the Fall of 2021 in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal gives light to the ways in which women in these states were impacted by the pandemic. Women in these two states responded to
Charting the Path to Universal Financial Inclusion
Read Part 1, From Exclusion to Empowerment: The Meaning of Financial Inclusion The Cost of Financial Exclusion of Women Despite women’s increasing influence in the global economy and their significant contribution to consumer spending, the fact remains that nearly a billion women worldwide are unbanked and lack access to essential
From Exclusion to Empowerment: The Meaning of Financial Inclusion
“Although three-quarters of a billion women are still excluded from the formal financial system, we remain steadfast in the mission to usher in universal financial inclusion to unlock the potential of women worldwide.” – Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO of Women’s World Banking What is Financial Inclusion? Our world
In Conversation with Wema Bank’s Adekunle Alarapon: In a Digitally Dominant Era, Physical Touchpoints Remain Essential for Financial Inclusion
Adekunle Alarapon (ACIB, CDEF) is Head of Retail Segments for Wema Bank Plc, where he holds responsibilities for Agent Banking & Financial Inclusion, Gaming & Entertainment Business, Workplace Banking and Female Gender (Sara) Propositions. Mr. Alarapon has more than 20 years of banking experience in operations, control, commercial, retail and
In Conversation with Marek Dubovec: How Modernizing Credit Infrastructure Benefits Women in Emerging Economies
Dr. Marek Dubovec is the Director of Law Reform Programs at the International Law Institute, as well as Professor of Practice at the University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers College of Law. Recognized for his international expertise in commercial law reform and especially secured transactions, Marek works with governments, policymakers
In Conversation with Women’s World Banking’s Fintech Innovation Challenge Female Founder’s Circle
6 Questions with 6 Female Fintech Founders By Marina Dimova (Director, Financial Industry & Network Advocacy) & Dan Truong (Marketing Specialist, Financial Industry & Network Advocacy) Although women make up nearly 30% of the fintech workforce, they continue to earn only 2% of all venture capital, despite evidence indicating that
Call for applications: Civil society organizations in the Women’s Digital Financial Inclusion Indonesia Coalition
Women’s World Banking is pleased to announce the second call for applications from civil society organizations in the Women’s Digital Financial Inclusion Indonesia Coalition. The due date for the grant application is 30 April 2023. Grants will be disbursed in amounts of USD $10,000-$20,000 and will be announced by June 2023. The
How E-Commerce Can Be A Driver For Women’s Economic Empowerment And The Digital Market
When Agnes Salyanty, Southeast Asia Research Lead for Women’s World Banking, interviewed Indonesian women e-commerce entrepreneurs on how they use online platforms, two respondents stuck out as representatives of the innovation, flexibility, and boldness of the sector. “What impressed me was their willingness to experiment with both their products and
Policy Advocacy Across Indonesia: A Promising Beginning for Women Ultra-Micro Entrepreneurs
By Vitasari Anggraeni, Elwyn Panggabean, Freya Nadira Women’s World Banking identifies regulations, mandates, or country level priorities such as presidential mandates or G20 recommendations that can be the driving force for women’s financial inclusion and engagement. During the 2022 G20 Presidency, held by Indonesia, women’s entrepreneurship served as one of
Unlocking Credit for Women-Led Micro Businesses
By Pallavi Madhok, Director, Advisory Services – South Asia, Women’s World Banking Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the country’s economic growth engines. Many MSMEs have struggled to sustain themselves in the aftermath of the pandemic and require financial support to overcome the economic downturn. Women-led small businesses –
