2016-06-12-奥纬咨询-Women_s_financial_inclusion_7页_141kb

Summary of Women's Financial Inclusion Report

Key Findings

The report highlights the critical need for financial inclusion, defined as access to basic financial services like bank accounts, credit, insurance, and savings products. Despite progress in financial inclusion globally, women are left behind due to a persistent gender gap. On average, this gap stands at 7 percentage points, despite 700 million people gaining access in the past five years.

The harm of financial exclusion extends beyond individuals; economies with large excluded populations grow slower, affecting everyone. Women are more likely to lack access, hindering their ability to save, borrow, or start businesses. Mobile phone ownership, a key factor in financial inclusion, shows significant disparities, with only 1.7 billion females owning mobile phones, presenting a $170 billion revenue opportunity.

Financial institutions often overlook women due to doubts about the business case, but women make better customers, offering reliable credit risks and higher returns. Governments can play a catalytic role through policies like tiered KYC regulations and digital welfare payments, while partnerships among various stakeholders—philanthropists, NGOs, mobile operators, and fintechs—are vital for scaling efforts.

Recommendations

• Moblize through better data and pilot programs to demonstrate profitability in targeting women.
• Governments should create an enabling regulatory environment and promote co-titling of property for easier access to credit.
• Build ecosystem partnerships focusing on education, women-friendly products, and behavioral tweaks like SMS reminders.
• Accelerate through collaborative initiatives to turn insights into action.

Benefits

Including women in financial systems drives economic growth, reduces poverty, and creates inclusive markets. Success requires a "coalition of the willing" with a focus on innovation and sustainability.