There isn’t anything today that is untouched by technology, especially when we think of how digital infrastructure is allowing us to stay connected with friends and family and enabling businesses to function. The pandemic has underscored the significant role of ‘digital’ not only in creating an inclusive society by bridging the digital divide but also in creating positive impact at scale. By helping bridge the digital divide, and ensuring women acquire skills to empower themselves, technology is an enabler of change.

Harnessing technology to advance the issue of gender empowerment allows women to take part in the conversation, broaden their perspectives and find new opportunities in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). It’s a win-win for everyone. Financial inclusion promotes innovation for cost-effective delivery of financial products through the use of technology. It helps the underprivileged stabilize their income and build productive assets. Financial inclusion also means being able to access financial services, such as loans at anytime.

There are 2.5 billion individuals around the world currently lacking access to traditional financial products. Financial technology companies can support entrepreneurs especially those based in emerging markets. Beyond investing in crypto currency, technology is helping people save and qualify for loans to finance their business or fund investments. This also includes the ability to save their money securely, to be able to earn yield on that, to be able to make simple payments that are essential to their daily lives, and to be able to grow their financial stability over time. We are able to use alternative data to understand where people are in their lives and then be able to provide them with access to the liquidity they need to move towards opportunity.