Ensuring better female inclusion in all aspects of life—especially in financial inclusion and entrepreneurship—requires a multi-faceted approach. Governments and NGOs must not only implement policies but also enforce compliance and monitor tangible results. Below are strategies with examples from successful countries:
1. Short-Term Solutions (Immediate Impact)
A. Financial Inclusion Programs
Microfinance & Grants: Governments and NGOs should provide accessible credit to women, especially in rural areas.
Example: Bangladesh—The Grameen Bank, founded by Muhammad Yunus, pioneered microfinance, lifting millions of women out of poverty through small loans.
Actionable Steps: Governments can partner with banks and fintech startups to provide low-interest loans for women-led businesses.
B. Business & Skills Training
Example: Rwanda—The government, in partnership with NGOs, launched the Women’s Leadership and Economic Empowerment Program, providing entrepreneurial training, funding, and mentorship.
Actionable Steps: Set up entrepreneurship hubs where women get training, mentorship, and funding guidance.
2. Medium-Term Solutions (Systemic Change Over 3-5 Years)
C. Legal Reforms & Policy Enforcement
Women should have equal property rights, land ownership, and access to financial services.
Example: India—Implemented a law ensuring women’s equal property inheritance rights, increasing their financial independence.
Actionable Steps: Governments must enforce laws that ensure women can inherit property, access loans without male guarantors, and own businesses freely.
D. Women-Focused Business Incubators
Example: Canada—The Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) allocated $5 billion in funding for female entrepreneurs.
Actionable Steps: Create dedicated business incubators where women receive mentorship, access to investors, and technology support.
3. Long-Term Solutions (Sustainable Impact Over 10+ Years)
E. Political Inclusion & Leadership Development
Women must be supported in politics to influence policy.
Example: New Zealand & Finland—Both have had female Prime Ministers due to strong leadership pipelines and gender-equal policies.
Actionable Steps: Governments should implement quotas for female representation in leadership roles, ensuring more women hold decision-making positions.
F. Monitoring & Compliance for Visible Results.
Policies are useless without monitoring mechanisms.
Example: Norway—Mandated that 40% of company board members must be women, with strict enforcement.
Actionable Steps: Governments should mandate minimum female participation in leadership roles across sectors and enforce compliance.
Conclusion
Breaking barriers for women requires a combination of funding, education, legal protection, political representation, and strict enforcement. By learning from successful global models, governments and NGOs can ensure that inclusion is not just a policy on paper but a visible transformation in society.
Princess Dr. G. Adebajo-Fraser MFR
Founder, the National Patriots.
CEO, Fraser Consulting Ltd
Executive Chairperson, Eden & Mcwhit Global Services.
Chairperson, Royal Crown Minerals Development Ltd.
Director, Global Gas & Refining Ltd.
To support the position on enhancing female inclusion through financial empowerment and entrepreneurship, here’s a relevant video:
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs through Financial Inclusion and Trade Participation
This video discusses strategies and initiatives aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs by improving their access to financial services and integrating them into trade networks. It highlights successful programs and offers insights into overcoming barriers to female inclusion in the economic sphere.
You can watch the video here:
“A nation’s strength lies in the unity of its people, and women play a central role in this unity.” — Princess Gloria Adebajo-Fraser MFR
“Empower a woman financially, and you empower generations. Women are the backbone of families, the strength of communities, and the key to a nation’s prosperity.” — Dr. G. A. Fraser MFR
“True progress begins when women are given equal opportunities to lead, earn, and innovate. A society that uplifts its women secures its future.” — Princess Gloria Adebajo-Fraser MFR
Famous Quotes from Global Leaders on the importance of Empowerment and Financial inclusion of Women in the Nation
“I believe that if we empower women, we empower society. A strong society is built on the strength of its women.” — Bola Tinubu
“We cannot build Nigeria or Africa we envision without fully integrating women into our economic systems. Women are not just participants in our economy; they are leaders, innovators, and the bedrock of sustainable development.” — Kashim Shettima
“I think that, in the end, women are better than men. I think women have a much better sense of right and wrong.” — Donald Trump
“When we invest in women and girls, we are investing in the people who invest in everyone else.” — Melinda Gates
“When we invest in women and girls, we are investing in the people who invest in everyone else.” — Melinda Gates
“A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture, and transform.” — Diane Mariechild
“Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.” — Oprah Winfrey
“I know of no single formula for success. But over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal, and are often about finding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights.” — Queen Elizabeth II
“Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.” — Margaret Thatcher
“When women succeed, America succeeds.” — Joe Biden
“I truly believe that collaboration is the key to creating something better, and that is something that will help us to move forward.” — Kate Middleton
“I believe passionately that the world’s problems can be solved through the combined efforts of all of us, working together.” — King Charles III
“We all have a role to play in building a better world for future generations.” — Prince William
“We need to give women the same opportunities, the same rights, and the same resources to succeed.” — Emmanuel Macron
“We must ensure that women have the opportunities, resources, and support they need to thrive in every aspect of society.” — Muhammadu Buhari
“When you educate a woman, you educate a nation.” — Aisha Buhari
“The future of Africa depends on the empowerment of women.” — Mobutu Sese Seko
“When women are empowered, nations are transformed.” — Nana Akufo-Addo
“The test of a true democracy is the respect given to women and the opportunities they have to lead and contribute.” — Jerry John Rawlings