Gender inequalities between women and men in access to capital and markets persist across sectors and types of financing. Women entrepreneurs face barriers to capital ― in raising debt, equity, or supplying goods and services to global value chains ― and they are underrepresented at all levels of the financial system.

Women-Owned Small and Medium Enterprises (WSMEs) face an estimated credit gap of $1.4 to $1.7 trillion. IFC - International Finance Corporation’s blended finance mechanisms can play a key role in addressing these gaps and increasing access to financial products and services for WSMEs.

This note was produced to help public and private sector actors including governments, foundations, financial institutions, and investors, learn more about blended finance tools and solutions that can help increase women’s access to capital and markets.

Closing the Gender Finance Gap Through the Use of Blended Finance Case Study