Exploring the global efforts to get women into the financial system through bank accounts, savings and loans. https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/financial-inclusion/rss en Financial Inclusion Tue, 30 Oct 2018 10:30:00 +0000 Dominic Kirui https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/10/30/how-daycare-and-savings-groups-empowered-women-in-a-nairobi-slum https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/10/30/how-daycare-and-savings-groups-empowered-women-in-a-nairobi-slum From small beginnings, a group of Kenyan women in a slum area have developed a thriving savings group that has brought a measure of financial independence and stability to their lives. Asset and Property Rights Entrepreneurship Financial Inclusion Informal Economy Fri, 19 Oct 2018 12:41:21 +0000 Dominic Kirui https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/10/19/the-informal-bank-that-empowers-kenyas-poorest-women https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/10/19/the-informal-bank-that-empowers-kenyas-poorest-women In Part 1 of a two-part report on the informal banks that help women secure financial stability, we look at a savings group in Kenya that grants independence to the women who join it. Entrepreneurship Financial Inclusion Informal Economy Fri, 05 Oct 2018 13:03:22 +0000 Wesley Lang’at https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/10/05/riskier-when-the-lights-are-out-the-sharp-end-of-the-kadogo-trade https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/10/05/riskier-when-the-lights-are-out-the-sharp-end-of-the-kadogo-trade In part 2 of our report on the low-income food sellers of Nairobi, we examine the threats facing the women who provide this vital link in the food-security chain – and what the future may hold for them. Asset and Property Rights Financial Inclusion Mon, 13 Aug 2018 10:00:00 +0000 Kizito Makoye Shigela https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/08/13/bad-loans-and-ghost-borrowers-what-went-wrong-at-tanzania-womens-bank https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/08/13/bad-loans-and-ghost-borrowers-what-went-wrong-at-tanzania-womens-bank The Tanzanian Women’s Bank, designed to close the financial gender gap between men and women, fell victim to bad loans and the country’s ongoing liquidity crisis. Financial Inclusion Thu, 09 Aug 2018 14:20:00 +0000 Puja Changoiwala https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/08/09/indigenous-women-in-mumbai-miss-out-on-indias-bank-account-drive https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/08/09/indigenous-women-in-mumbai-miss-out-on-indias-bank-account-drive Aarey Milk Colony is a lush forest on the outskirts of India’s commercial capital, but a nationwide program to boost financial inclusion has passed many of its female inhabitants by. Financial Inclusion Fri, 03 Aug 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Martin Bader https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/08/03/why-most-bangladeshi-women-still-dont-have-a-bank-account https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/08/03/why-most-bangladeshi-women-still-dont-have-a-bank-account Without bank accounts, two-thirds of Bangladeshi women are missing out on the chance to take control of their money and have a say in financial decision-making. Low workforce participation and lack of interest from banks are to blame, experts say. Entrepreneurship Financial Inclusion Solutions Mon, 18 Jun 2018 14:10:00 +0000 Rumbi Chakamba https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/06/18/zimbabwe-womens-bank-wants-to-break-down-barriers-to-new-entrepreneurs https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/06/18/zimbabwe-womens-bank-wants-to-break-down-barriers-to-new-entrepreneurs A new bank in Zimbabwe catering specifically to women – particularly those in rural areas – will offer loans, advice and skills training to help women get the funding and access to markets that traditional banks often deny them. Financial Inclusion Solutions Fri, 15 Jun 2018 02:50:00 +0000 Megan Clement https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/06/15/breastfeeding-big-data-and-alibaba-how-to-close-the-bank-account-gap https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/06/15/breastfeeding-big-data-and-alibaba-how-to-close-the-bank-account-gap Financial services are evolving at a rapid pace, but the gender gaps in accessing them aren’t closing. We talk to Greta Bull, CEO of CGAP, about what the future of financial inclusion holds for women. Entrepreneurship Equal Pay and Opportunity Financial Inclusion Solutions Fri, 08 Jun 2018 13:00:00 +0000 Megan Clement https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/06/08/what-we-want-out-of-the-g7-four-gender-experts-weigh-in https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/06/08/what-we-want-out-of-the-g7-four-gender-experts-weigh-in With gender equality a key feature of G7 negotiations, we asked four leading experts in the field what they would like to see come out of the negotiations in Canada this weekend. Financial Inclusion Solutions Tue, 29 May 2018 14:20:00 +0000 Jihii Jolly, Megan Clement https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/05/29/financial-inclusion-gender-gap-pretty-startling-world-bank-expert https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/05/29/financial-inclusion-gender-gap-pretty-startling-world-bank-expert We talk to Caren Grown, the World Bank’s senior director for gender, about why the financial inclusion gap between men and women hasn’t closed in 11 years, and what we might be able to do about it. Financial Inclusion Thu, 19 Apr 2018 09:30:00 +0000 Megan Clement https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/04/19/gender-gap-in-bank-account-ownership-hasnt-shifted-in-seven-years https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/04/19/gender-gap-in-bank-account-ownership-hasnt-shifted-in-seven-years The third edition of the World Bank’s Global Findex has shown no worldwide progress on women’s financial inclusion, despite strong gains in India. Financial Inclusion Solutions Thu, 29 Mar 2018 07:00:00 +0000 Megan Clement https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/03/29/using-africas-unspent-millions-to-close-the-digital-gender-gap https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/03/29/using-africas-unspent-millions-to-close-the-digital-gender-gap A recent study has found there’s $408 million sitting in unused funds across Africa – money that could be used to get millions more women and girls online. The Alliance for Affordable Internet’s Dhanaraj Thakur explains how. Financial Inclusion Solutions Tue, 27 Mar 2018 11:20:00 +0000 Puja Changoiwala https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/03/27/nowhere-safe-for-dirty-money-after-sex-workers-bank-closes-in-mumbai https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/03/27/nowhere-safe-for-dirty-money-after-sex-workers-bank-closes-in-mumbai Sangini Cooperative Bank was the only financial institution in Mumbai to offer sex workers access to savings and credit. Now that the bank has closed, the women are left with only two options: hide their money or risk losing it to moneylenders and con men. Entrepreneurship Financial Inclusion Fri, 23 Mar 2018 12:10:00 +0000 Bailey McCann https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/03/23/women-want-to-save-and-saving-means-success-for-microentrepreneurs https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/03/23/women-want-to-save-and-saving-means-success-for-microentrepreneurs A new report from the Center for Global Development has found that women have much greater interest in opening savings accounts than men do, and that providing women entrepreneurs with mobile banking tools can significantly enhance their profits. Asset and Property Rights Equal Pay and Opportunity Financial Inclusion Unpaid Domestic and Care Work Mon, 12 Mar 2018 14:30:00 +0000 Jihii Jolly, Jumana Farouky https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/03/12/deeply-talks-what-were-watching-at-csw62 https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/03/12/deeply-talks-what-were-watching-at-csw62 In our March episode of Deeply Talks, which falls on the first day of the 62nd session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), our editors examine this year’s theme of empowering rural women and girls, featuring insights from two experts. Entrepreneurship Financial Inclusion Solutions Tue, 27 Feb 2018 12:20:00 +0000 Danny Lee https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/02/27/cash-payments-during-crisis-can-give-women-more-power-at-home https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/02/27/cash-payments-during-crisis-can-give-women-more-power-at-home A growing number of NGOs are adding cash assistance to their aid programming, often targeting the support to women. Some groups find that giving money can boost women’s financial autonomy, but others say handing over cash is only a small part of the solution. Financial Inclusion Tue, 20 Feb 2018 11:50:00 +0000 Megan Clement, Jihii Jolly https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2018/02/20/deeply-talks-are-biometric-id-systems-good-for-women https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2018/02/20/deeply-talks-are-biometric-id-systems-good-for-women In our second episode of Deeply Talks this year, we discuss the role national ID systems play in advancing financial inclusion for women, featuring insights from three researchers who have examined the issue in depth. Financial Inclusion Solutions Tue, 13 Feb 2018 12:31:00 +0000 Mohandas Pai https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2018/02/13/aadhaar-is-a-vital-tool-in-achieving-economic-equality-for-women https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2018/02/13/aadhaar-is-a-vital-tool-in-achieving-economic-equality-for-women By giving everyone in the country an official ID number, many for the first time, the Aadhaar program is one of India’s most effective tools to increase economic participation, especially for women, says tech investor Mohandas Pai. Financial Inclusion Solutions Tue, 13 Feb 2018 12:30:00 +0000 Debdatta Saha https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2018/02/13/womens-financial-inclusion-needs-a-bigger-fix-than-digital-ids https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2018/02/13/womens-financial-inclusion-needs-a-bigger-fix-than-digital-ids Until governments and banks tackle issues such as corruption, low informal sector wages and female illiteracy, digital ID systems like Aadhaar will do little to improve the financial inclusion of poor women in India, says economist Debdatta Saha. Financial Inclusion Informal Economy Wed, 07 Feb 2018 12:20:00 +0000 Sophie Mbugua https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/02/07/as-kenyas-cities-grow-women-risk-being-crowded-out-of-the-economy https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/02/07/as-kenyas-cities-grow-women-risk-being-crowded-out-of-the-economy As delegates gather for this year’s World Urban Forum, one urgent question is how to ensure urbanization doesn’t make it even harder for women in the informal economy to earn money and support their families. Entrepreneurship Financial Inclusion Solutions Fri, 02 Feb 2018 12:00:00 +0000 Lara Setrakian https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2018/02/02/in-south-africa-lack-of-information-can-kill-precious-moloi-motsepe https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2018/02/02/in-south-africa-lack-of-information-can-kill-precious-moloi-motsepe Precious Moloi-Motsepe and her husband pledged to give away half their mining fortune in 2013. She speaks with News Deeply about how philanthropy can improve women’s lives in South Africa and beyond. Equal Pay and Opportunity Financial Inclusion Informal Economy Fri, 26 Jan 2018 13:20:00 +0000 Jihii Jolly, Jumana Farouky, Megan Clement https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/01/26/deeply-talks-womens-advancement-in-2018-dispatch-from-davos https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/01/26/deeply-talks-womens-advancement-in-2018-dispatch-from-davos On our first episode of the year, we lay out the crucial issues on women’s economic advancement that we will examine in 2018, and discuss how #WEF18 did on gender this year, with a live dispatch from Davos. Financial Inclusion Solutions Fri, 26 Jan 2018 11:00:00 +0000 Atika Kemal https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2018/01/26/how-digital-payments-revolutionized-poor-womens-lives-in-pakistan https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2018/01/26/how-digital-payments-revolutionized-poor-womens-lives-in-pakistan Pakistan’s women-focused social benefits payment system shows how the use of digital technologies not only increases financial access for women, but also gives them a voice at home and in the political landscape, writes researcher Atika Kemal. Equal Pay and Opportunity Financial Inclusion Solutions Wed, 24 Jan 2018 13:30:00 +0000 Jumana Farouky https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/01/24/outlook-2018-the-issues-to-watch-in-womens-economic-advancement https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/01/24/outlook-2018-the-issues-to-watch-in-womens-economic-advancement From digital tech to data collection, this year we will be looking at how the momentum of the women’s movement could drive real progress in efforts to reach economic equality – and the challenges that still stand in the way. Equal Pay and Opportunity Financial Inclusion Solutions Tue, 23 Jan 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Megan Clement https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/01/23/welcome-to-womens-advancement-deeply https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/01/23/welcome-to-womens-advancement-deeply Despite worldwide efforts to support their economic advancement, women still earn less, own less and do more of the world’s unpaid work than men. How do women achieve equality, particularly in the developing world? We’re here to find out. Financial Inclusion Thu, 21 Dec 2017 08:41:06 +0000 Jumana Farouky, Jihii Jolly https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2017/12/21/amid-indias-i-d-debate-women-quietly-gain-control-of-family-finances https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2017/12/21/amid-indias-i-d-debate-women-quietly-gain-control-of-family-finances The Bhamashah scheme running in Rajasthan aims to increase women’s financial inclusion by giving them more control over their family’s money. Women & Girls speaks with Anit Mukherjee, who co-authored a report on the program’s progress toward that goal. Financial Inclusion Tue, 21 Nov 2017 10:58:32 +0000 Amber Ehrke https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2017/11/21/well-never-end-the-digital-divide-without-content-that-works-for-women https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2017/11/21/well-never-end-the-digital-divide-without-content-that-works-for-women Based on a recent report on the digital divide in Myanmar, Amber Ehrke of the International Research and Exchanges Board argues that a lack of perceived benefits of technology prevents women from using it, even as accessibility increases. Equal Pay and Opportunity Financial Inclusion Wed, 08 Nov 2017 13:40:01 +0000 Mary Ellen Iskenderian https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2017/11/08/as-gender-gap-widens-banks-need-to-see-the-value-of-women-clients https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2017/11/08/as-gender-gap-widens-banks-need-to-see-the-value-of-women-clients The surest way to accelerate progress toward global economic parity is for financial institutions to invest in designing and marketing products aimed at women clients, says Mary Ellen Iskenderian, president and CEO of Women’s World Banking. Equal Pay and Opportunity Financial Inclusion Wed, 01 Nov 2017 19:02:05 +0000 Megan Clement https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2017/11/01/worldwide-gender-gap-widens-for-the-first-time-in-10-years https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2017/11/01/worldwide-gender-gap-widens-for-the-first-time-in-10-years New findings from the World Economic Forum show the world has slipped backward on gender equality for the first time since 2006, and it could take more than 200 years to close the economic gap between men and women. Financial Inclusion Wed, 18 Oct 2017 12:42:41 +0000 Jihii Jolly https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2017/10/18/expert-views-digital-inclusion-is-the-key-to-getting-women-bank-accounts https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2017/10/18/expert-views-digital-inclusion-is-the-key-to-getting-women-bank-accounts As part of our ongoing Expert Views feature, we asked four women at the forefront of the economic empowerment movement what financial inclusion for women really looks like. The verdict was unanimous.