Center for Financial Inclusion 258d ago

Women-owned microbusinesses (wMBs) are a vital part of emerging economies, contributing to household income, jobs, and community resilience. Yet they face persistent barriers such as limited access to finance and weak market linkages. To address these challenges, MicroSave Consulting (MSC), with support from JP Morgan Chase, conducted research across 17 emerging markets to define and contextualize financial health for wMBs. The study introduces SCALE framework, a structured and gender-intentional approach offering actionable insights for financial institutions, enterprise support organizations, policymakers, and donors. It is built around five interconnected dimensions: Systemic enablers and cultural norms, Coverage of financial services, Adoption and usage, Literacy and enterprise capabilities, and Enterprise sustainability and market access. This session will explore how SCALE framework can be applied to strengthen usage of financial services, inform risk models, and connect wMBs to market opportunities. Participants will gain practical insights to embed financial health into strategies, products, and policies for long-term impact.