Resources

Explore the 44 WFI barriers in detail. Within each barrier page you will find key evidence on the barrier, connected exemplars, and more.


Customer Segments

Showing 44 out of 44 barriers

Consumer Protection

Difficulty resolving complaints

Consumer Protection

Financial abuse & harm

Consumer Protection

Fear of making mistakes

Consumer Protection

Increased exposure to frauds & scams

Consumer Protection

Overcharging

Consumer Protection

Predatory lending

Consumer Protection

Fear of privacy violations

Consumer Protection

Non-transparent product information

Digital & Physical Infrastructure

Lack of inclusive instant payment systems

Digital & Physical Infrastructure

Lack of diversity in distribution channels

Digital & Physical Infrastructure

Poor internet & mobile connectivity

Digital & Physical Infrastructure

Lack of female agents

Digital & Physical Infrastructure

Unreliable payment system & network

Digital & Physical Infrastructure

High mobile internet cost

Digital & Physical Infrastructure

Distance from financial service points

Digital & Physical Infrastructure

Poor digital & foundational ID infrastructure

Entry & Capability

High cost of using DFS (incl. transaction cost)

Entry & Capability

Low digital financial capability

Entry & Capability

Limited personal exposure to DFS

Entry & Capability

Real or perceived lack of money

Entry & Capability

Lack of phone & SIM ownership

Entry & Capability

Low data footprint among women

Institutional Norms & Practices

Low digital capability of financial institutions

Institutional Norms & Practices

Lack of strategic focus on women customers

Institutional Norms & Practices

Lack of women in policy or financial institution leadership

Policy & Regulation

Policies that discourage healthy financial sector competition

Policy & Regulation

Lack of gender-intentional National Financial Inclusion Strategies (NFIS)

Policy & Regulation

Lack of proportional & tiered KYC requirements

Policy & Regulation

Broader legal constraints

Product & Market Design

Low utilization of gender-disaggregated data (GDD)

Product & Market Design

Inflexible product terms

Product & Market Design

Low scalability of products

Product & Market Design

Fragmented market collaboration

Product & Market Design

Poor user interface & navigability

Product & Market Design

Poor understanding of women’s financial needs

Product & Market Design

Lack of reliable & high-quality in-person services

Product & Market Design

Complex onboarding process

Social Norms

Biases that center men as financial customers

Social Norms

Women’s disproportionate time burden

Social Norms

Ambivalence or antagonism towards women’s financial independence

Social Norms

Mobility constraints

Women's Participation in the Workforce

Lack of formal job opportunities

Women's Participation in the Workforce

Complex business registration requirements

Women's Participation in the Workforce

Limited workplace protections & benefits