Demand-side review of financial inclusion for women in entrepreneurship and smallholder agriculture

Time, poverty and family care responsibilities, legal rights, security concerns, and capacity constraints affect women more than men in both agriculture and entrepreneurship sectors. Financial inclusion that is transformative in terms of women’s productivity, livelihoods, and economic empowerment requires uptake and continued use of relevant financial products. This paper uses a demand-side approach to understand gender barriers to financial inclusion among female entrepreneurs and smallholders. Through a literature review, secondary analysis of existing datasets, and key stakeholder interviews, the paper addresses whether and under what conditions financial inclusion can be transformative for women’s productivity, income growth, and empowerment