Addressing women's needs for
financial education

Both women and men need to be sufficiently financially literate to effectively participate in economic activities and to take appropriate financial decisions for themselves and their families, but women often have less financial knowledge and lower access to formal financial products than men. Women therefore have specific and additional financial literacy needs.

This 8-page brochure looks at barriers to women’s full financial empowerment, the potential contribution improved financial education can make to their financial well-being and makes recommendations for financial education initiatives targeting women and girls.

Empowering women through financial awareness and education 

This working paper reviews the literature on gender differences in financial literacy to better understand their causes and consequences, as well as possible policy responses. In this document, research carried out to collect further evidence and case studies may help countries interested in the development and implementation of financial education programmes targeting women’s most vulnerable sub-groups.

Gender equality in education, employment and entrepreneurship

Prepared as part of the OECD's gender equality initiative, this report on Gender Equality in Education, Employment and Entrepreneurship informs, shares policy experiences and good practices, and helps governments promote gender equality. The report also addresses gender differences in financial literacy and how financial education can contribute to women’s financial empowerment (chapter 2.6).

G20 Declaration supporting
gender equality

“We recognize the need for women and youth to gain access to financial services and financial education, ask the GPFI, the OECD/INFE, and the World Bank to identify barriers they may face and call for a progress report to be delivered by the next Summit” - G20 Leaders Declaration, June 2012

The OECD International Network on Financial Education (INFE) comprises institutions from more than 100 countries to develop policy analysis and guidance on key relevant financial education issues.

In particular, the OECD/INFE is committed to supporting women’s financial empowerment and the related G20 agenda by providing policy evidence, analysis, and guidance to help policy makers address women’s needs for financial awareness and education.

FURTHER READING

‌‌Closing the Gender Gap: Act Now (2012)

OECD/INFE financial literacy measurement survey (2012)

International Gateway for Financial Education

Wikigender

OECD gender portal

For further information

Please contact:
Ms. Flore-Anne Messy
Tel: +33 1 45249656
Email: flore-anne.messy@oecd.org