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.

Organizational Support for Gender Diversity

Select institutions have access to a suite of organizational development services that are designed to improve gender diversity in high-performing MFPs. The first phase of the offering is a diagnostic —Organizational Gender Assessment—designed to identify where barriers may exist that prevent men and women employees from having equal opportunities to excel. Following the diagnostic, the Center staff work with MFPs to design solutions that maximize employee satisfaction, professional development and gender diversity at all levels.

Excellence in Leadership Award

WWB is proud to announce the launch of the first annual Excellence in Leadership Award. WWB’s Excellence in Leadership Award, presented in partnership with The MasterCard Foundation, recognizes a member of the WWB network who demonstrates a commitment to gender diversity, principled leadership and excellence in financial and social performance.

The vision of the award is to inspire transformation in the microfinance industry and shift the perception of gender diversity from an elective initiative to a fundamental requirement for sound and sustainable institutions. The Award process will include two phases: a quantitative and qualitative review, followed by a review of the top five finalists’ initiatives or strategies to support gender diversity and women’s leadership.

The Award winner will receive a monetary prize of $25,000, to be utilized in the advancement of gender diversity in leadership and gender equality. The CEO of the winning institution will be invited to WWB’s Global Dinner in New York on March 21, 2011 to receive the award. WWB will cover travel and accommodation costs for the CEO to attend the award ceremony, and WWB will feature the institution throughout the year of the Award in WWB communications and public fora.