The Making Finance Work for Women Podcast
Episodes
Ep. 32: Instant Money, Real Barriers: Can Tokenized Payments Deliver for Low-Income Women?
12 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Tokenized payments promise instant settlement, near-zero transaction costs, and fewer intermediaries—but can they actually work for low-income wom...
Ep. 31: Something to Buzz About: When Inclusion Becomes Economic Opportunity
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Making Finance Work for Women, we speak with Monika Shukla, Co-Founder & CEO of Humble Bee, on how inclusive business models ...
Ep. 30: A Year-End Special: Our Biggest Reveal, Boldest Lessons, and a 2026 Sneak Peek
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 30 is a celebration. Women’s World Banking just crossed our most audacious milestone yet! Take a step back with us to reflect on the sto...
Ep. 29: The Hidden Cost of Violence — How Finance Can Protect Women
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The price of violence is economic. The solution can be, too. Behind many closed doors, violence is an everyday reality—especially for women in low-i...
Ep. 28: As Aid Fades, Can Private Capital Carry the Climate Fight?
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As aid retreats and climate impacts increase, can investors step in where governments can’t? The battleground for influence just may be shif...
Ep. 27: Money in Motion: The Future of Financial Systems
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does the rise of instant payments, CBDCs, and buy-now-pay-later innovations mean for global financial systems—and for the women too often left ...
Ep 26: Tokens, Tech & Trust: What Crypto Means for Inclusive Finance
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Crypto is redefining value. But what does this mean for people too often left behind by traditional finance—especially women? In this episode of Ma...
Ep. 25: Inside the Numbers: What the Global Findex Means for Women
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Global Findex 2025 is here—and it’s making headlines. In this special episode, Women’s World Banking President & CEO Mary Ellen Iskender...
Ep. 24: Not Just a Loan: How Credit Can Power—or Fail—Women’s Economic Potential
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Traditional credit products often ignore the lived realities of women entrepreneurs—requiring collateral they don’t own, loan terms they can’t m...
Ep. 23: Mary Had a Little Loan: A Mother’s Day Reflection
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In honor of Mother’s Day, we’re taking a closer look at the role of credit access in unlocking economic mobility for women. Wome...
Ep. 22: Can a Credit Score Be Compassionate?
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can a credit score be compassionate? What if lenders could see a climate shock coming—and adjust your repayment plan before it hits? In this episode...
Ep. 21: Beyond the Bank: Why Financial Inclusion is a Public Health Issue
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if your ability to open a bank account determined whether you could survive childbirth? Or if a lack of credit meant you couldn’t access life-s...
Ep. 20: From Fintech Innovator to Policy Accelerator: A Regulator’s Journey
27 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In our 20th episode of The Making Finance Work for Women Podcast and as we approach Women’s History Month, we sit down with Inés, a powerhouse in d...
Ep. 19: Can Financial Inclusion Solve Gender-Based Violence?
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Behind the closed doors of many homes, violence is a harsh reality—especially for women in low-income countries. In this episode, we sit down with D...
Ep. 18: A Moment of Reflection: Insights from the Leaders of Women’s World Banking
19 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As the year comes to a close, join us for a special December episode of the Making Finance Work for Women podcast, "A Moment of Reflection: Insights f...
Ep 17: Why Does a Warming World Hesitate to Trust Women Leaders?
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Research indicates that female leaders are more likely to champion climate action and sustainability, yet perceptions of their leadership have decline...
Ep. 16: Climate Change Solutions: How One Fintech is Insuring Women Farmers’ Futures
17 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know that 840 million women in climate-vulnerable countries would find it difficult or impossible to cover the cost of an emergency? In this e...
Ep. 15: Beyond Survival: Financial Strategies for Women’s Inclusion Amid Climate Change
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know that 753 million women in climate-vulnerable countries do not have an active bank account or e-wallet and women who are financially exclu...
Ep. 14: Reimagining Finance: Women, AI, and the Future of Fintech
15 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 14 of the Making Finance Work for Women podcast, we’re exploring the cutting edge of fintech, where innovation meets inclusion. We’ll u...
Ep. 13: Making History: The $700M Fund for Women's Financial Inclusion
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 13 of the Making Finance Work for Women podcast, we explore the groundbreaking Global Gender-Smart Fund (GGSF) with Ruurd Brouwer, Board Ch...
Ep. 12: CBDCs Explained: The Rise, Risks and Future in Financial Inclusion
20 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 12 of the Making Finance Work for Women podcast, we dive into the transformative potential of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and t...
Ep. 11: Finance’s Heroine: Consumer Protection
16 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 11 of the Making Finance Work for Women podcast, we discuss integrating a gendered perspective into financial consumer protection. With nea...
Ep. 10: Kenya, Climate Change, and Women's Economic Opportunity
18 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 10 of The Making Finance Work for Women Podcast, we delve into the intersection of climate change and digital financial inclusion with a pr...
Ep. 9: Past to Present: Women's Role in Fintech's Evolution
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 9 of The Making Finance Work for Women Podcast, we embark on a compelling exploration of the evolution of fintech, recognizing the pivotal ...
Ep. 8: Two Sides of the Crypto Coin & the Promise of Financial Inclusion
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 8 of Making Finance Work for Women, we embark into the world of cryptocurrency. Ever wondered about he true potential of crypto as a game-c...
Ep. 7: Insider Insights: Financial Inclusion in 2023 and Shaping Forces for 2024
18 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Women’s World Banking’s Sonja Kelly and the World Bank’s Leora Klapper highlight tangible progress achieved by outstanding players, from fintech...
Ep. 6: Touchpoints for Transformation - The Phygital Revolution
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode delves into the pivotal role of physical touchpoints in the digital age, exploring their significance in engaging women customers and enh...
Ep. 5: Gender Lens Investing - A Gateway to ESG Excellence
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode explores the potential of a gender-focused investment strategy and its viability as an entry point into ESG (Environmental, Social, and G...
Ep. 4: Beyond Borders - Women's Financial Empowerment in Times of Crises
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we shed light on the often-overlooked connection between finance and displacement, exploring how women are disproportionately affecte...
Ep. 3: The Role of Mobile Network Operators in Women’s Digital Financial Inclusion
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We know usage of mobile internet is not keeping pace with connectivity. Host Sonja Kelly (Global Vice President, Research & Advocacy, Women's Worl...
Ep 2: Blockchain & Crypto – A Dynamic Duo for Faster Financial Inclusion?
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Blockchain and crypto have barely cemented themselves into our global society and there are already hundreds of use cases, testing it as a viable mech...
Ep. 1: The Rise of the Ethical Machines in Women’s Financial Inclusion
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The promise of artificial intelligence for financial services providers is automated decision-making at scale, but that means AI also automates risk a...