“Embedding gender-smart practices into financial institutions isn’t a one-time effort. It’s a journey—one that requires commitment, data-driven insights, and collaboration to ensure the impact is sustainable and transformative.” – Brianna Losoya-Evora, Head of Impact Measurement and Management, Sweef Capital
Our session at Building Bridges, ‘Bridging the Gap: Advancing Gender-Smart Finance in Latin America, Africa, and Asia,’ offered a refreshing perspective on how financial institutions are driving meaningful change through gender-smart initiatives. This conversation emphasised that embedding gender-smart principles into the core of financial institutions is an ongoing journey—one that requires unwavering commitment, strategic focus, and long-term dedication.
With DFC’s support, fortunate to collaborate with an inspiring consortium of partners, ProMujer and Equilo, sharing our journey towards building more inclusive, impactful, and gender-equitable financial systems. Throughout the session, we explored the practical application of tools like the Gender ROI™ and its automated action plans, highlighting DFC’s continued commitment to investing in women—and in clients who invest in women. This work has provided a roadmap for financial institutions to align their strategies with gender-focused goals, ensuring that gender equality remains a top priority in organisational decision-making, even as the global landscape continues to evolve.
The detailed examples our financial institution partners provided painted a clear picture of why this work matters.
“This work is not about short-term wins. It’s about embedding gender inclusion into every aspect of an institution—top-down and bottom-up—so that it becomes part of the culture, part of the DNA.” – Alexa Foglia, Senior Vice President, Banco Atlantida.
While significant challenges remain, the tangible progress being made in advancing gender-smart finance demonstrates its potential to drive both social and economic transformation. Rather than being sidelined by misconceptions or resistance, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) must be recognised as a powerful enabler of business growth and community resilience. Achieving meaningful change requires sustained investment, clear strategies, and committed leadership within organisations.
