CARE is now a signatory to the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code (WE Finance Code) worldwide. This groundbreaking project aims to close the gender finance gap by promoting structural change within the financial ecosystem. By joining, you pledge to support women-owned companies and fight to close the funding gap that exists for female entrepreneurs.

In order to reach their full potential, female entrepreneurs must overcome formidable challenges. It is estimated that the unmet financial needs of 400 million women entrepreneurs worldwide total $1.7 trillion. However, women borrowers represent a valuable customer base for banks and fintechs, and small enterprises contribute significantly to economies.

“We’ve seen the power of designing with and for women to improve financial access, and CARE is excited to formally join WE Finance Code to strengthen these efforts,” said Rathi Mani-Kandt, Director, CARE Women’s Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion. “Sex disaggregated data is the first step to understanding opportunities and gaps for women small business owners. We are determined to make market systems work for women by working with financial service providers committed to intentionally design for and serve women entrepreneurs.”

“As the momentum of the WE Finance Code continues to grow, we are excited to have CARE joining as a Global Signatory to champion gender equality with their local and global networks. This partnership will deepen systemic change and further support women entrepreneurs around the world,” said Wendy Teleki, Head of Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi) Secretariat at the World Bank.