RANAFA  defines women’s economic empowerment as the process by which women increase their right to economic resources and power to make decisions that benefit themselves, their families and their communities. Investing in women’s economic empowerment sets a path for poverty reduction and for equality between men and women. RANAFA  works to ensure that poor women have access to a full range of suitable and affordable financial services critical to withstand shocks and fulfil their economic and social potential. We empower women to build better livelihoods, earn more income, and create businesses that provide jobs and boost local economies. With improved financial security, other areas of women’s lives also improve: they can afford health.

The disadvantages and discrimination faced by women and girls severely limits women’s and girls’ ability to lift themselves out of poverty. As a result, women are more likely to work in informal, low-wage jobs with exploitative and unequal working conditions, and have restricted access to affordable, quality financial products and services, like a savings account or small loan. Only 37% of women in poor countries have access to basic financial services. RANAFA  focuses its efforts on four key pathways where it believes it can have the most impact – financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, dignified work and inclusive value chains.