Photo credit: Quoc Linh Vinh Nguyen, 2016 CGAP photo contest

Dear FinEquity Community,

We’re excited to share that the Global Findex 2025 data is finally here! While global progress continues, gender gap in account ownership still persist in 65 economies. In this newsletter, we feature a new CGAP blog post that analyzes the latest Findex data on women’s financial inclusion and highlights key opportunities ahead. We also spotlight Women’s World Banking’s latest podcast, which explores what this new data means for women.

As we reflect on these global insights, regional efforts continue to push the boundaries of inclusive finance. In Latin America and the Caribbean, FinEquityALC, UN Women LAC, and SISCA hosted a side even t during the XVI Regional Conference on Women in Mexico City. The session explored sustainable care economy and inclusive finance as pathways to women’s economic autonomy and well-being.

Looking ahead, we invite all FinEquity Africa members to join the African Inclusive Finance Week (SAM) from October 13–17, 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya. SAM is a vibrant space for exchanging ideas, building partnerships, and advancing inclusive finance across the continent.

Let’s keep learning and collaborating across regions!

The FinEquity Team

BLOGS FROM THE COMMUNITY

Photo credit: InvestHER Climate Resilience Bond

InvestHER: Pioneering Gender-Responsive Climate Finance

FinEquity | Aug 2025

This blog explores how Grameen's InvestHER Climate Resilience Bond aims to channel gender-responsive finance to strengthen women smallholder farmers’ resilience to climate change.

From Access to Agency: The Next Chapter in Women’s Financial Inclusion

This blog unpacks new Global Findex data on women’s financial inclusion and identifies the opportunities ahead.

CGAP | Aug 2025

She Works From Dawn to Dusk, But Can’t Count the Money She Earns

How can financial literacy and numeracy help women break cycles of dependence and gain financial security?

FinDev Gateway | Aug 2025

READ ALL FINEQUITY BLOGS

WHAT WE ARE READING / LISTENING TO

Photo credit: Sumit Pokhrel, ADB

Designing a Grant Mechanism for Women-Focused Cooperatives to Support Resilient Livelihoods

Asian Development Bank (ADB) | Jul 2025

This brief demonstrates how developing and strengthening women-focused institutional structures, such as women-led cooperatives, can deliver resilience outcomes and position women as key stakeholders in building climate resilience in their communities.

Powering Inclusion Through Policy and Partnership: Lessons From Egypt & Rwanda

This case study highlights Women's World Banking's collaboration with the Central Bank of Egypt and the National Bank of Rwanda, supported by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), to close the gender gap in financial services.

Women's World Banking | Jul 2025

Designing Credit Products to Support Women’s Economic Activity: Synthesis of Recent Literature

This evidence synthesis examines a range of studies published to understand the impact of financial innovations that have addressed barriers women face in accessing and using credit for productive purposes.

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) | Jun 2025

Podcast: Inside the Numbers: What the Global Findex Means for Women

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 worldwide.

Women's World Banking | Jul 2025

EXPLORE ALL RESOURCES

FROM FINEQUITY AFRICA

We invite all members of the FinEquity Africa community to take part in the African Inclusive Finance Week (SAM) that will be held from October 13 to 17, 2025, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya. SAM brings together key stakeholders from across the sector to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and advance inclusive finance in Africa.

Let’s connect and collaborate — see you at SAM!

Learn more > and register here >

Photo credit: ADA

FROM FINEQUITY ALC

FinEquityALC, UN Women LAC, and SISCA hosted the side event “Financing, Financial Inclusion and Economic Autonomy: Towards a New Paradigm Centered on Care and Women’s Sustainability”, during the XVI Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean in Mexico City.

The session explored sustainable care economy and inclusive finance as pathways to women's economic autonomy.

Watch the recording > & learn more >

NEWS, EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FROM THE COMMUNITY

Symbiotics Launches $5M Gender Sukuk With Kashf Foundation, Pakistan

This transaction marks Symbiotics first sukuk issuance and the first gender-based sukuk to be deployed in Pakistan’s microfinance sector.

Symbiotics SA

News | 31 Jul 2025

IFC Supports Smaller Businesses and Women Entrepreneurs in Uzbekistan

IFC has signed an agreement with Hamkorbank, the country’s third largest private lender, to provide a loan of up to $50 million to increase access to finance for small businesses and women entrepreneurs in Uzbekistan,

International Finance Corporation (IFC)

News | 23 Jun 2025

Two-Part Webinar Series: Showcasing the Gender Lens Investing TA Program

This two-part webinar series will showcase the successes of the Dutch Good Growth Fund's Gender Lens Investing Technical Assistance program and unveil its next-phase offerings for fund managers and their portfolio companies.

The Dutch Good Growth Fund

Upcoming Event | 27 Aug & 10 Sep 2025

High-Level Meeting on the 30th Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women

The UN General Assembly will convene a high-level meeting centered on the theme “Recommitting to, resourcing and accelerating the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.”

United Nations

Upcoming Event | 22 Sep 2025