Gender Lens Investing Landscape: Gaps, Challenges, and Opportunities in Financial Inclusion for Women

To help inform the evolution of its gender strategy, Kiva surveyed the gender lens investing (GLI) landscape. With a focus on financial inclusion in emerging markets, Kiva analyzed sector-wide data and interviewed key industry stakeholders to understand the existing gaps and opportunities. With growing funds, resources, and networks, the trend in gender lens investing is promising, but the gaps investors are looking to address are persistent and necessitate dedicated approaches, especially in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This report provides evidence that while microfinance has been a driver of economic opportunities for underserved women globally, a more well-rounded GLI approach is required to generate the level of impact necessary to truly advance financial inclusion for women.