There's Nothing Micro about a Billion Women

Included in McKinsey’s 2023 Summer Reading Guide“A comprehensive look at how to bring more women into the global financial system… The book’s holistic approach to financial inclusion—addressing insurance along with the ability to save and borrow and drawing connections between financial empowerment and gender-based violence—adds a valuable layer to the discussion and expands on the existing literature… An engaging and wide-ranging look at new developments in banking access.”—Kirkus Reviews“Drawing on years of professional investment banking experience, Iskenderian’s thought-provoking business guide walks readers through the obstacles to inclusion and financial independence that women often face… Iskenderian offers a call-to-action for governments and financial institutions to make policies and products that better serve the needs of low-income women and women-owned businesses, especially in developing nations.”—BookLife“There’s Nothing Micro about a Billion Women offers real-life examples, case studies, and research that demonstrate how stakeholders can come together to create a more gender-inclusive financial system, which would deeply affect the lives of many women around the world—and communities and economies—for the better.”—Philanthropy News Digest“Mary Ellen Iskenderian masterfully explains that women need a lot more than just a loan to be included in formal society. She positions the billion women who are not a part of the formal system as an opportunity for the financial world rather than as victims of charity. The key is not to show sympathy to women but to include them in the financial system.”—McKinsey

Mary Ellen Iskenderian is President and CEO of Women’s World Banking, a global nonprofit devoted to giving more low-income women access to financial tools and resources.