Financial Inclusion and Womens' Empowerment in the Global South

Financial Inclusion and Womens' Empowerment in the Global South examines how expanding women’s access to savings, credit, insurance, and digital financial services can drive economic growth, reduce poverty, and advance gender equity. Despite progress, women across developing regions remain disproportionately excluded from formal financial systems due to structural inequalities, restrictive norms, and institutional barriers. Drawing on diverse case studies from Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and beyond, this volume offers an intersectional analysis of what works, for whom, and under what conditions.

Emerging from the G20 Conference on Financial Inclusion and Women’s Empowerment under South Africa’s Presidency, the book bridges research, policy, and practice. Organized around themes including women’s entrepreneurship, financial literacy, green economy participation, and regulatory reform, it provides actionable insights for scholars, policymakers, and development practitioners committed to building inclusive financial ecosystems and advancing sustainable development.