ABSTRACT
Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) help vulnerable community members pool together their savings and then loan out some of them to members of the same group. Loans are used to set up small businesses, helping people increase their income and gain control over their lives. The obstacles to financial inclusion for women are in many ways the same as those for men, but frequently exacerbated by social norms. Gender disparities in the percentage of adults without an account mean that women are not able to exercise equal access to and control over critical economic resources and opportunities, which are central to women’s economic empowerment. Women’s empowerment and voice, in the family and in the community, are also key to ensuring women fully access their rights. The Gender Gap Analysis indicated that men are frequently controlling the functioning of VSLAs, even if they are not members.
