To celebrate Women’s World Banking’s 45th anniversary, we are showcasing the voices of individuals from around the world who have shaped and touched Women’s World Banking journey since its inception in 1979 at Commission on the Status of Women to today!
These are stories from across Women’s World Banking’s reach from the women we serve and our customers, to allies and women in leadership who have contributed to women’s economic empowerment and financial inclusion.
Imagine stepping into a world you barely know, only to find it becomes your life’s calling. That’s what happened when Harsha Rodrigues joined Women’s World Banking 23 years ago. Back then, financial inclusion wasn’t even part of her vocabulary. Growing up in India, where financial access for women was limited, it’s surprising to think how little attention the issue received. But when Harsha accepted her role at Women’s World Banking, she found herself in the middle of a movement that would not only define her career but transform the lives of millions of women around the world.
Discovering Financial Inclusion
Financial inclusion for Harsha began as a series of late-night conversations with a colleague from a previous job. “We would spend long hours working and nights talking about the world and what ails it and what needed to change…..would it be just a lot of money in education or an investment in health? And that’s how financial inclusion came into the conversation. And the concept intrigued me. It resonated with me because it wasn’t about charity, it was about providing, individuals with the means to do better.”
This idea of empowerment resonated with Harsha so much that it became the foundation of her work. Women’s World Banking stood out for its exclusive commitment to women, recognizing that when women are financially empowered, the ripple effects are far-reaching.
When she joined Women’s World Banking, she “was at the bottom of the totem pole” as a technical program associate. “I knew nothing about financial inclusion, I had to start from the very beginning. I came into what was Asia—East Asia, South Asia—and we used to work with network members at the time. So that’s how I started.” Now, 23 years later, Harsha has risen to become the Global Head of Client Services, dedicated to expanding financial access and empowering women around the world.
The Evolution of Financial Inclusion
Over 45 years, Women’s World Banking has seen financial inclusion evolve dramatically. When Harsha joined Women’s World Banking, the idea of financial inclusion was still emerging. At the time, the focus was on microcredit—small loans that gave women the chance to start or grow businesses.
What started as microcredit has grown into a comprehensive array of services, including savings, insurance, pensions, and digital banking. Harsha has been at the forefront of this transformation. “The sector has come a long way since I first joined. Now, it’s about giving women choices – just like the choices you and I have.”
But the need remains immense. Nearly a billion women worldwide are still excluded or underserved by financial systems. Harsha is reminded of this constantly, and it is what drives her forward. The work is not just about opening accounts or providing loans; it’s about creating opportunities for women to secure their futures and those of their families through financial resilience and relevant products that meet their needs.
“Investing in women as clients and investing in women as leaders, both equally is what has set us apart. In order to serve women, you need to have more women at the decision-making table, you need to take into context how women live their lives, and it’s important to understand, the financial dynamics within the household. We strongly believe in taking a gender lens. We believe being gender agnostic is being gender blind. If we design with women in mind, whether it’s the digital public infrastructure, whether it’s a digital financial service, whatever it is that we design, if we design with women in mind, everybody will benefit, including men. And if we don’t, women will be left behind.”
Climate Change and Financial Inclusion: A Growing Intersection
As financial inclusion has evolved, the issues surrounding women have also taken a different shape. One of the most pressing issues today is climate change. Harsha highlighted the stark reality that women are 14 times more likely to die from climate-related disasters than men and in the six most vulnerable countries, only 25% of women have the financial resources to respond to emergencies.
Harsha emphasizes that “The overlap between financial inclusion and climate is a serious one. Climate risk cannot be addressed without financial inclusion. So, for an organization like ours, it’s imperative and we to address this, in conjunction with partners that are working on the topic.” Without safety nets, access to savings or insurance, women are left vulnerable when climate disasters strike.
The Digital Revolution in Financial Inclusion
One of the most promising shifts Harsha has witnessed is the rise of digital financial services. Technology has opened doors that were previously closed, allowing women in remote and underserved areas to access financial products without needing to set foot in a physical bank. But this shift brings with it new challenges, particularly around security and fraud. “I worry about fraud; I worry about digital potentially doing more harm than good when that’s not the intent.”
Mats Granyrd, director at GSMA also highlights barriers around a lack of literacy and digital skills, safety and security concerns, and the need for women centered design and relevant content in local languages to address the same.
For Harsha and Women’s World Banking, it’s crucial that digital financial services are not only accessible but also safe. They are focused on this balance, making sure the solutions they provide don’t expose women to new vulnerabilities.
Reflections on 23 Years of Service
If you asked Harsha 23 years ago whether she thought she’d still be with Women’s World Banking today, she likely wouldn’t have believed it. But the reason she’s still here is simple—the work isn’t done. Harsha reflects on her visits to remote villages in India and the Philippines, where she saw firsthand how financial inclusion can change lives. “I met women who didn’t want their children to follow in their footsteps. They wanted their kids to go to school, get educated, and break the cycle of poverty”. For Harsha, it’s always been about that generational impact. Empowering a woman financially doesn’t just lift her out of poverty; it gives her the tools to change the future for her family. This has been the driving force behind Harsha’s work, and it’s what continues to inspire her to this day.
The Next 45 Years
As Women’s World Banking celebrates its 45th anniversary, Harsha looks toward the future with both hope and determination. She dreams of a world where financial inclusion is no longer a topic of conversation because the problem has been solved. “I hope in the next 45 years, we won’t need to have this conversation anymore. But until we get there, we will keep pushing forward.”
“How can any country truly prosper if half its population is left behind?” she asks. Women make up half of the world’s population, and if we are not fully participating in the economy, everyone loses.
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Women’s World Banking is dedicated to economic empowerment through financial inclusion for the nearly one billion women in the world with no or limited access to formal financial services. Using our sophisticated market and consumer research, we turn insights into real action to design and advocate for policy engagement, digital financial solutions, workplace leadership programs, and gender lens investing.
As part of our current strategy, we’ve helped provide 37 million women in emerging markets – targeting 100 million by 2027 – access and use of financial products and services that are transforming women’s lives, households, businesses and communities, and driving inclusive growth globally.
Help us reach the nearly billion women still excluded from the formal financial system. Donate now.
