Understanding structural barriers & hidden bias in access to credit for women-led businesses
Women-led businesses are an important vehicle for enhancing women’s economic opportunities and agency, and often lead to poverty reduction and economic growth.
Gender gaps in access to formal credit is one of the principal barriers impeding women-led businesses from exploiting their full potential and economic opportunities. There are many structural barriers holding women back from accessing the resources needed to grow their businesses. However, one less explored (and more difficult to assess) challenge in emerging markets is that of hidden gender and ethnic biases in the financial system.