Kiva and USAID conducted an exploration and analysis of the state of gender-aware financial inclusion efforts in emerging markets. The report observes both promising but also concerning trends. While there are positive trends in the amount of funding, resources and networks dedicated to the area, the gaps investors are seeking to bridge continue to widen, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report presents the importance of strategic uses of blended finance, such as the pairing of technical assistance funding with financing packages to microfinance institutions, to build gender lens capacity for more effective gender-based outcomes. Other recommendations include, pursuing a better understanding of intersectionality, improved data collection methods, and adopting a holistic GLI approach.
