Women’s needs are unique. Their financial solutions should be too!

Women's empowerment starts with economic independence, and economic independence starts with financial inclusion. Digital finance led to a massive increase in financial inclusion in the past decade, especially in developing and emerging economies. And while the gender gap in access to financial services has finally decreased a little after  many years with no progress, women are still less likely than men to hold an account and to get credit for their business.

In this talk, Women's World Banking will discuss the following points:

• What does women-centered design of financial services look like?
• Is digital finance the key to women's financial inclusion?
• What does the gender gap in smart phone ownership mean for women's economic empowerment?

The lightning talk will highlight what has happened since the foundation of Women's World Banking in 1979 until today, and which role technology played. The talk will highlight the need for a feminist development policy and showcase how Women's World Banking lobbies for women's rights, how it promotes women's representation, and how it ensures that women have access to resources.