Global Gender-Smart Fund

Global Gender Smart Fund (GGSF) addresses the $1.7 trillion gender gap by promoting financial inclusion and gender equality in emerging markets. Since its inception in February 2009, the fund has been instrumental in driving economic development by providing development finance to micro-enterprises and low-income households through partner financial intermediaries (PFIs). GGSF's business model focuses on offering gender-smart financial services and technical support, which not only enhances livelihoods but also fosters women's leadership. The fund capitalizes on the untapped potential of women in finance, aiming to unlock $700 billion in potential revenues for financial institutions. By collaborating with PFIs, GGSF ensures that financial services are tailored to meet the needs of women, thereby maximizing their economic potential and societal impact. The fund also emphasizes effective complaint handling, ensuring stakeholders' voices are heard and disputes are resolved, which aids in improving service quality. GGSF's strategy is further strengthened by a Technical Assistance Facility, empowering financial institutions to optimize the benefits of the funding provided. Keywords: gender gap, financial inclusion, emerging markets, development finance, micro-enterprises, low-income households, partner financial intermediaries, gender equality, women's leadership, technical support.