MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Women’s World Banking (WWB), Citi Foundation Launch Women in Leadership Program

US-based microfinance network Women’s World Banking (WWB), with financial support from Citi Foundation, the charitable arm of US-based financial firm Citigroup, recently launched the “Women in Leadership Program,” an initiative aimed at increasing the number of women in leadership positions in microfinance. The five-day program is run through WWB’s Center for Microfinance Leadership, a facility established in 2009 to train industry practitioners. The program focuses on training women from microfinance institutions (MFIs) in South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.

Citi Foundation contributed USD 400,000 to the program. Pamela Flaherty, president and CEO of the foundation, reportedly commented, “In many countries, women make up the majority of microfinance clients, and by developing a pipeline of future women leaders, we will continue to build stronger financial institutions that maintain the client at the heart of efforts to broaden financial inclusion.”

As of 2012, WWB members serve 26 million active clients in 28 countries. As of 2011, WWB reports total assets of USD 30.5 million and its members report a total of USD 7 billion in outstanding loans and USD 3.5 billion in deposits.

By Nicole Boyd, Research Associate

About Citi Foundation
The Citi Foundation provides grants and guarantees focusing on the areas of microfinance, small and growing businesses, education, asset building and neighborhood revitalization. Citi Foundation is the charitable arm of US-based financial services provider Citigroup. The foundation’s annual giving was USD 78 million in 2011.

About Women’s World Banking
Women’s World Banking (WWB) is a nonprofit organization based in New York that was founded in 1979 to help women around the world through microfinance. As of 2012, WWB members serve 26 million active clients in 28 countries. As of 2011, WWB reports total assets of USD 30.5 million and its members report a total of USD 7 billion in outstanding loans and USD 3.5 billion in deposits.

Sources and Additional Resources:

Women’s World Banking. “Women’s World Banking and the Citi Foundation Launch Program to Increase Gender Diversity and Women’s Leadership in Microfinance Institutions,” http://www.swwb.org/press/womens-world-banking-and-citi-foundation-launch-program-increase-gender-diversity-and-women’s-

MicroCapital. February 5, 2013, “MICROFINANCE EVENT: Women’s World Banking (WWB) Presents “Pacific Forum 2013: Building Microfinance,” February 28 – March 1, 2013, Auckland, New Zealand,” https://www.microcapital.org/microfinance-event-womens-world-banking-wwb-presents-pacific-forum-2013-building-microfinance-february-28-march-1-2013-auckland-new-zealand/

MicroCapital. November 6, 2011, “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Women’s World Banking, Microfinance Institution Asociación Dominicana para el Desarrollo de la Mujer (Banco ADOPEM) Use Television Soap Opera to Teach Savings,” https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-women’s-world-banking-microfinance-institution-asociacion-dominicana-para-el-desarrollo-de-la-mujer-banco-adopem-use-television-soap-opera-to-teach-savings/

MicroCapital Universe Profile: Women’s World Banking https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Women%27s+World+Banking+%28WWB%29

MicroCapital Universe Profile: Citi Foundation https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Citi+Foundation

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