Impact Area: Women's Empowerment

There are few things more powerful than getting economic resources into the hands of women in the developing world. When women earn an income and gain economic power, the effect is catalytic. They invest in areas that advance their families' future: food, housing, education and children’s health. They gain confidence and voice. They become community leaders.

GP's investments: Global Partnerships’ investments empower women in Latin America in a number of ways. First, more than 70 percent of the borrowers served by our partners are women. Second, most of our partners lend to women through the village bank model, which offers impoverished women a powerful social support network, a training forum and the opportunity to become community leaders.

Examples from our portfolio: High in the mountains of Bolivia, groups of 15-20 women—clients of GP partner CRECER—gather every two weeks for village bank meetings. Though the primary purpose of the meetings are to repay loans that they borrow together from CRECER, much more occurs. The women make decisions about taking on future loans and accepting new members. They share business ideas. They participate in workshops on topics such as family health, business development and empowerment. For many women, it is the first time they have had a chance to practice leadership and it is their only social network.

What next: GP is continuing to support partners that are having a positive impact on women in Latin America--for example, by lending to women through the village bank model. Our work to expand sustainable health services in countries like Haiti and Ecuador will also primarily benefit women.