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Why Gender Diversity Matters
Gender diversity matters in microfinance. WWB champions gender diversity because we believe that diverse perspectives lead to stronger decisions and healthier, more vibrant organizations. Incorporating women’s voices when designing and delivering microfinance products is particularly important when a majority of clients are women. Equally as important, microfinance clients often speak of the inspiration they derive from seeing powerful women leaders in the organizations that serve them. How best to achieve diversity? The answer lies in leadership and technical skill development of individual, high-potential leaders as well as in organizational transformations to ensure that all women and men work in environments where they can perform, excel and lead.
Featured Publication
“Transforming the Landscape of Leadership in Microfinance: Maintaining the Focus on Women” introduces WWB’s new methodology for helping MFIs support gender diversity at all levels of their institution. WWB has expanded its Women’s Leadership Development Program, which works with individuals, to include a tool that focuses on the challenges and opportunities microfinance institutions face in the attraction, retention, and promotion of qualified women staff members - the Organizational Gender Assessment. Now available in English and Spanish.
Building Institutional Support for Gender Diversity, Ujjivan Financial Services
The Center is working with Ujjivan Financial Services, a leading MFI in India, to design and implement a workforce diversity strategy. Ujjivan recognizes the value of building a diverse workforce during a time of organizational and geographic expansion. This innovative and advanced approach to managing and cultivating its human resources has been fundamental to Ujjivan’s growth and success. In early 2009, Ujjivan was ranked number one in the microfinance industry as Best Place to Work by the Great Place to Work Institute India.
In February, WWB conducted primary research with over 100 managers and staff at Ujjivan to understand where gaps and challenges may exist to achieve greater diversity at all levels in the institution. After sharing key recommendations with senior management, the WWB team continued to work remotely and in the field to support the design of a robust diversity strategy.
The next steps in the strategy roll out include the integration of a WWB-designed gender awareness training program into Ujjivan’s core curriculum, the launch of a communications plan to support the initiative, and a review of core talent management processes in order to better align processes with gender diversity goals. Ujjivan’s CEO, Samit Ghosh, has been unfailing in his support for this initiative, and the Ujjivan team leading the work brings together cross-functional expertise and a commitment to the initiative’s success.