Young Women's Financial Inclusion: What Works

This paper presents lessons learned from initiatives that aim to increase financial inclusion among low-income young women, ages 15–24, in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The initiatives reviewed throughout encompass the design and delivery of formal and informal financial services as well as financial education. They may be implemented on a standalone basis or in conjunction with other services, and by private sector, public sector, or civil society actors. When properly designed and implemented, such financial inclusion interventions have been shown to improve young women’s financial attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors. These improvements can in turn support broader changes in young women’s well-being, for example, in their livelihoods, psychosocial functioning, and agency. However, producing these outcomes is critically dependent on quality design and implementation.

This paper brings together lessons learned by multiple expert organizations, drawing from the broader literature where relevant while surfacing nuances related to serving young women.