Opening a bank account in many countries is a cumbersome process requiring official documents that women often don't have. Digital ID systems can make this process more accessible and help enable women’s financial inclusion. 

This study shares insights from the rural financial institutions program and demonstrates how self help group members as banking agents or customer service points could deliver last mile banking services to the rural community in a cost-effective and sustainable manner.

This brief considers the potential impact of the global pandemic on health, food security and nutrition, and economic well-being of women and girls.

The discussion is based on the recently published Pathways to Prosperity report, and the gender deep dive Understanding Women’s Rural Transition and Service Needs, which highlights specific challenges and barriers that rural women face based on their context and life cycle stage.   

What National Financial Inclusion Strategies have accomplished so far in the region, and what more needs to be done

The increase in financial inclusion among women in Rwanda is a great achievement, however, there is an opportunity to deepen the financial inclusion of women to pair or even go beyond that of their male counterparts.

This study shares insights from gender-lensed data analytics in the Democratic Republic of Congo.