How Empowering Women Grow Economies

Have women achieved equality? Today, women certainly have many more opportunities than generations ago.  But there is still an area where women’s participation is severely lacking. Globally, women face great challenges in working.

Women’s economic participation is critical to growing economies. In fact, the World Economic Forum predicts that if the global economic gender gap were narrowed, the world’s GDP could grow by $12 trillion by 2025. Yet, only 49 percent of women participate in the world’s labour force, as compared to 75 percent for men. Women are more likely than men to bear the responsibility of unpaid work at home, limiting their availability to join the workforce.  They also make up the majority of informal workers – such as domestic workers, street vendors or seasonal labourers – that are unprotected by the government with wages paid under-the-table, if at all.

Even if a woman wanted to start her own business, she faces limitations in accessing financial services, like small loans or savings accounts. That is why, for over 30 years, FINCA has been improving the lives of women with the help of financial services. Our female clients access small loans to build their businesses, increase their incomes and save for the future.  As their businesses grow, these FINCA clients create a ripple. They hire women as employees, creating jobs and boosting the local economy.

FINCA celebrates these pathbreakers who not only find success as entrepreneurs but help other women in their community thrive.

Mama Kapu, Tanzania

Mama Kapu always dreamt of becoming a restauranteur in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She initially used FINCA loans to purchase a small plot of land to build her restaurant.  As the business grew, so did her team. She was able to hire five female employees, most who relied on Mama Kapu’s business to feed, clothe and school their own children.

“When I got a job at Mama Kapu’s restaurant, I thanked God,” Amina, one of Mama Kapu’s employees says. “I am a widow and have two children to look after. Getting a job is so difficult.”

Betty Nakintu, Uganda

Betty Nakintu is a woman with endless energy. Ask her about her nursery and primary school in Kampala, Uganda, and she beams with pride, happily showing the many buildings and facilities for her school of 750 kids. Thanks to FINCA loans, Betty was able to build her school.

Working from 6 am to 5 pm, Betty occasionally teaches classes but spends most of her day managing her 46 staff members and teachers, many of whom are women. She trains her teachers as well and takes pride in being in their supervisor.

Sunny, who has been teaching at the school for two years, appreciates Betty’s management of the school. “I like the facilities and environment,” she says. “Everyone is cooperative.”