Women’s Control over Economic Resources and Access to Financial Resources, including Microfinance

This paper addresses the ability of women to control and access economic and financial resources such as land, housing, employment, and social protection. The paper illustrates the importance of examining women’s access to economic and financial resources and makes concrete recommendations. It highlights the need for a gender-sensitive response to the current financial crisis. There are significant development gains in ensuring women’s equitable access and control over economic and financial resources such as economic growth, poverty eradication and the well-being of families and communities. Conversely, the impact of inequality in access to resources represents a global challenge with implications at the individual, family, community and national levels.