Benefits of digital welfare for women

⛽Financial Inclusion Fueling Women's Economic Empowerment in Mozambique 🏦 Having access to a savings account, a credit line, or digital financial services is a reality mostly out of reach for millions of women in the global south. @TechnoServe's approach? Build strategic partnerships with local financial institutions - like M-Pesa and AfricaWorks - to bridge this gap. By conducting market research, offering tailored training, and support for designing gender-focused financial products, our Women in Business program in Mozambique created mutual benefits for women and the financial sector alike. 📣 Hear directly from Isabel, a local shop owner who, as a result of WIN’s work with AfricaWorks, accessed a credit line, adopted mobile money and electronic banking, and immediately benefited from being integrated into the financial system by diversifying and growing her business. What’s the impact of investing in financial inclusion for women? Numbers from WIN make the case: ⭐ M-Pesa, a mobile financial service provider, experienced a remarkable increase in its user base in Mozambique, growing from 10,000 to 110,000, 46% of whom are women. ⭐ An impressive 71% of women participating in M-Pesa’s digital financial savings solution “Xitique” saved more, thanks to a platform redesign that incorporated gender considerations. This redesign, inspired by @TechnoServe's recommendations, was undertaken by the partner financial institution. ⭐ 56% of these women reinvested their savings back into their businesses, and 79% of the women who reinvested in their businesses experienced a growth in income. ⭐ Finally, with improved access to and use of financial services, 4,136 customers (62% women) across WIN’s partnerships with financial service providers indicated that they had more time to spend in their businesses, with their families, or doing other activities. Investing in the financial inclusion of women is not only about progress; it's about mobilizing a systemic transformation that embraces women as customers, entrepreneurs, providers, and ultimately agents of change. #InvestInWomen #TechnoServe #IWD #InspireInclusion #IWD24

#FinTech Women of #Bharat report provides strategic recommendations and #innovation prompts for #financialservice providers to develop tailored solutions for diverse segments such as homemakers, #farmers, textile workers, and teachers. For Rural Women: • Homemakers (140 Million):     ◦ Microsavings tools for household budgeting and long/short-term goals.     ◦ Flexible credit for emergencies, aligned with local store credit cycles.     ◦ Homepreneur starter micro-loans for training, tools, and setup. • Farmers and Agricultural Workers (60+ Million):     ◦ Digital wage access + daily wage saver accounts.     ◦ Alternative credit scoring for farmers without land titles.     ◦ Income protection coverage.     ◦ Agribusiness starter loans for training, tools, and setup. • Livestock Rearers (14 Million):     ◦ Digital earnings access + cattle registration.     ◦ Collective enterprise starter packs: group capital for equipment, storage, and market access. • Shop Owners, Assistants and Retail Workers (3.8 Million):     ◦ Women-focused bulk purchase platforms for better supplier access and pricing.     ◦ Microcredit for stock replenishment without disrupting cash flow.     ◦ Earnings digitization and recognition for informal family helpers. • Textile Workers (3.6 Million):     ◦ Cash flow-linked working capital.     ◦ Earnings digitization and recognition for informal family helpers. • Handicraft Artisans (1.7 Million):     ◦ Market-linkage financing for bulk orders, fairs, and exhibitions.     ◦ Tools to manage cash flows, marketing, and scaling.     ◦ Earnings digitization and recognition for informal family helpers. • Mining and Construction Workers (4 Million):     ◦ Digital wage access + daily wage saver accounts.     ◦ Flexible income protection for job loss, accidents, and health risks. • Tutors and School Teachers (3 Million):     ◦ Employer-linked savings and retirement plans.     ◦ Income booster packages for private tutors, including credit and prepaid learning plans. For Urban Women: • Shop Owners, Assistants, and Retail Workers (4 Million):     ◦ Women-focused bulk purchase platforms for better supplier access and pricing.     ◦ Microcredit for stock replenishment without disrupting cash flow.     ◦ Earnings digitization and recognition for informal family helpers. • Cooks and Cleaners (5.4 Million):     ◦ Income-linked credit based on work history and employer references.     ◦ Income protection coverage. • School Teachers (3.4 Million) ◦ Employer-linked bridge loans for salary or healthcare gaps.     ◦ Specialized credit for upskilling and certification. • Textile Workers (3 Million):     ◦ Flexible income protection for job loss, accidents, health risks.     ◦ Employer-linked bridge loans for salary or healthcare gaps. • Clerks (2 Million):     ◦ Micro-investment tools for small, automated savings.     ◦ Career progression #credit for certifications or role transitions.

Excited to share insights from my Master's thesis on how information technology is transforming women's empowerment in Pakistan. Initially, I was unsure where my research would lead. Still, it soon became clear that IT not only opens doors to online learning, scholarships, and global educational opportunities but also challenges traditional gender roles. As Nirmal Puwar's idea of “space invaders” suggests, women are boldly entering spaces that were once considered off-limits, redefining what it means to be independent and self-reliant. My work involved extensive discussions and in-depth, semi-structured interviews with participants who highlighted both the immense benefits and the harsh challenges of our digital era. On the one hand, digital platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp have become essential tools for mentoring and connecting with scholarship opportunities. On the other hand, cyberbullying and online harassment—recorded at around 4441 cases in 2021, with a significant number involving women—pose real threats that can diminish confidence and hinder progress. Moreover, my research pointed to unequal access to IT, influenced by economic constraints and entrenched societal hierarchies. While government initiatives such as providing laptops have been appreciated by many, issues around accessibility remain a challenge. Research by UNDP Pakistan on digitalization and its impact on women has been extremely helpful in understanding the transformative potential of digital tools, yet it also reinforces that much more work is needed. In light of these findings, I strongly urge Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives to create more safe digital spaces where women can explore their potential without fear. Establishing secure, supportive environments is essential for enabling women to fully engage with the digital world and leverage its opportunities for education and employment. I’m grateful for the journey my research has taken me on, and I look forward to continuing this conversation on digital empowerment and gender equality.  #GenderEquality #WomenEmpowerment #Technology #UNDP #Digitalization

Women, Mental Health, and the Promise of Digital Innovation Each year in October, we recognize World Mental Health Day—dedicated to breaking stigma, sparking dialogue, and advancing solutions that prioritize mental well-being. But for women, the conversation takes on an even deeper meaning. Women experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, and trauma-related conditions than men. These mental health disparities are not the result of biology alone—social, cultural, and economic pressures and life-stage transitions, bring unique emotional and psychological demands. Despite this heightened need, women continue to face significant barriers in accessing mental health support. Traditional care often means long wait times, high costs, or limited availability of culturally competent providers. But, digital health innovation is rewriting the story and transforming mental health support from something hard to access into something personalized, immediate, and stigma-free. Rewire DTx is a powerful example of this progress. As a digital therapeutic platform, Rewire DTx leverages clinically validated cognitive behavioral strategies and personalized interventions to help individuals manage depression, comorbid stress, anxiety and other mood disorders. Its model removes barriers by delivering discreet, accessible, and effective care directly to users’ devices. For women balancing multiple life demands, this kind of flexible solution can be life-changing. Similarly, Birthvue is innovating maternal mental health by providing education for women throughout pregnancy. Beyond the physical realities of maternal care, Birthvue acknowledges the immense emotional toll of these transitions. By providing real-time support, education, and emotional health resources, the platform helps women feel less isolated, more empowered, and better prepared to navigate the challenges of motherhood. Innovation with Impact: What makes these technologies so promising is not only their accessibility but also their potential to scale globally. With digital platforms, care is no longer constrained by geography. Through the Women’s Health Tech Initiative, we support the entrepreneurs and innovators designing solutions that prioritize women’s needs, integrating mental health into broader health journeys rather than treating it as an afterthought. This holistic approach is long overdue—and digital health is making it possible. A Call to Action: It’s not enough to simply raise awareness. We must invest in, support, and scale solutions that address the unique mental health challenges women face. Mental health is health. For women, ensuring accessible, stigma-free, and effective support is not just an aspiration—it’s a necessity. With digital health at the forefront, we have the opportunity to close gaps, reduce inequities, and empower women to take control of their well-being.

Fintech for good: Enabling Digital Payments for Women in India 🇮🇳 through UPI When women gain access to #financialservices and opportunities, it creates a powerful #ripple effect that extends far beyond individual economic gains. Access leads to benefits to the individual, the household, the #community and eventually the nation. Benefits include improved household #welfare, increased participation of women in the formal economy, arms women with financial independence which they can use to lift their families out of poverty. There is sufficient evidence that #financial inclusion gives women more decision-making power within households and communities. It leads to better #education and #health outcomes Now, let's delve into the key takeaways from the attached report ‘UPI for Her’ which is a #collaborative initiative by the National Payments Corporation Of India (NPCI) and Women's World Banking that seeks to explore opportunities to increase the participation of women in the digital payments ecosystem – as a driver for financial inclusion and economic #prosperity. This is their first report of the initiative. 🇮🇳 Untapped potential: India has a vast untapped market of 200 million women ready to embrace #digitalpayments 🇮🇳 Persona-based approach: The report identifies two key personas among women: "Cautious Balancers" and "Fence Sitters," each requiring tailored strategies for #UPI adoption. 🇮🇳 UPI-PPI solution: Prepaid Payment Instruments (#PPIs) serve as a safe entry point for Cautious Balancers, providing a sense of control and security. 🇮🇳 UPI for Merchants: Women micro-entrepreneurs (Fence Sitters) are more likely to adopt UPI when shown tangible benefits for their businesses. 🇮🇳 #Phygital onboarding: In-person assistance combined with #digital tools is highly effective in onboarding women and building their confidence in using digital financial services. 🇮🇳 Community partnerships: Collaborating with local community networks and women's groups is crucial for reaching and engaging women effectively. 🇮🇳 Gender-intentional outreach: Tailoring marketing and outreach efforts specifically to women's needs and concerns is essential 🇮🇳 Continuous engagement: Providing ongoing support and gradually introducing more complex financial products is key to retaining women users. 🇮🇳 Transparent communication: Clear explanations of fees, features, and benefits are crucial for building trust among women users. 🇮🇳 Inclusive design: Gathering gender disaggregated #data and using it to inform product design and user experience can significantly improve adoption rates. 🇮🇳 Policy implications: The report suggests that #policymakers should require financial service providers to report payment data by gender and integrate this into financial inclusion indices. 🇮🇳 Ecosystem approach: Digitizing the entire value chain, including small traders and wholesalers, can accelerate UPI adoption among women micro-entrepreneurs.

A recent scoping review shows that the use of various types of digital health technologies (DHTs) can improve women’s access to healthcare and lead to better health outcomes. DHTs also improve women's empowerment and gender equality by facilitating skills acquisition, health education, and social interaction. However, barriers remain, such as financial challenges, privacy concerns, limited digital infrastructure, and geographical constraints. To maximize the benefits of DHTs, the authors recommend several actions for stakeholders: expanding digital infrastructure, collecting more data on women’s access and the digital gender divide, implementing affordability measures, launching education initiatives, enacting supportive legislation, and developing community-based interventions. Article: https://lnkd.in/dDBZfZ65 #digitalhealth #womenshealth #femtech Israel Júnior Borges do Nascimento, David Novillo Ortiz, PhD, Natasha Azzopardi Muscat, Isabel Yordi Aguirre, Ishanka Weerasekara, Rosemary Morgan, PhD, Robin van Kessel et al.

Equipping young women with digital skills is not just a development goal—it’s a foundation for jobs, resilience, agency, and inclusive growth. In Northern Nigeria, the Gina Mata, Gina Al-Umma program, meaning “Building Women, Empowering Communities,” has trained close to 1,300 young women to build skills and access opportunities in the digital economy. With support from the World Bank's Digital Development Partnership, participants are gaining practical skills in digital marketing, online safety, financial literacy, and remote freelancing, creating new pathways to economic opportunity in fragile contexts. This is the kind of impact we aim for: when access to technology translates into access to dignity, independence, and a stronger voice in shaping one’s future. Watch video: https://lnkd.in/g9j9kdwY Read the story: https://lnkd.in/gCARXTvg

⏭️ Next generation #maternalhealth centers women’s voices and experiences AND leverages the best of #digitalhealth and #AI to inform, empower, and triage. It is also fueled by courageous, transparent organizations willing to test their innovations using randomized trials. 📱 Jacaranda Health’s AI-enabled digital health tool PROMPTS has reached nearly 2.5 million pregnant and postpartum women across Kenya. PROMPTS is designed to “empower mothers to seek care at the right place and time” using push and pull messaging and an AI-enabled clinical helpdesk. Why do I believe in a tool like PROMPTS to save moms and babies? 💡  It leverages #behavioralscience to design smart, high-impact messages (“nudges”) 🤲 It involves true community engagement so we talk TO women instead of AT them 🤝  It builds on genuine public sector partnership to create complementarities with the health system at scale Our publication in PLOS Medicine (bit.ly/3S4D3w8) reports on the results of an #RCT testing the impact of PROMPTS among over 6,000 pregnant and postpartum women across Kenya. We report on more results than I can discuss here, including a careful exploration and synthesis of all of our pre-specified outcomes. The takeaway I will highlight here: ⚡ We can catalyze improvements in #postpartum care quality by empowering women with information about the care they should be getting. #Postpartumcliffs are alive and well in Kenya—as they are elsewhere. PROMPTS not only increased the chances that women actually received timely and complete postpartum care, but increased the likelihood that they were actually examined, counseled and heard. 🦻 We need more rigorous evidence of what works in digital maternal health. We need more innovation at scale. We need to center women’s voices and experiences and dignity. Harvard University Harvard Medical School MD/PhD rockstar Raj Vatsa, PhD led this work. Funding from Gates Foundation and what used to be #USAID/DIV Essential collaborations from the full team at Jacaranda Health (Sathy Rajasekharan, Anneka Wickramanayake, Sharon Akinyi, Dr. Sarah Little, Cynthia Kahumbura (BEng, MBA)), Innovations for Poverty Action (Gakii catherine, John Mungai), Margaret McConnell, Wei Chang. https://lnkd.in/eqkU-bm3