The National Conference on Women’s Economic Empowerment Principles 2024: Thematic Workshops, Top Speakers and Recognition of Gender Equality Excellence

On 6 December, the third annual National Conference on Women’s Economic Empowerment Principles was held under the theme “Finance for Her – Creating Opportunities for Financial Inclusion.” Over 120 professionals attended the conference, including financial regulators, public policymakers, financial education programme providers, private sector representatives, women entrepreneurs and experts. Together, they explored solutions to ensure women have equal access to financial resources.

Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women’s Country Representative, emphasized the importance of this initiative. "Financial inclusion for women is essential for sustainable and equitable growth of global economies,” she said, adding that UN Women joined the World Bank’s Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative and signed the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code in April 2024. “This collaboration aims for systemic changes in the financial ecosystem. When women have access to and control over capital, credit, resources, technologies and information, they not only gain greater influence over their own lives but also become drivers of economic growth and innovation,” she explained. “Enhancing gender-responsive policies, legislation and financial innovations, along with inclusive digital technologies, can accelerate gender equality and women’s rights, turning financial inclusion into a catalyst for sustainable development."

The conference addressed key challenges women face in accessing financial resources, such as:

• Limited financial products tailored to women’s real needs;
• Insufficient financial guarantees;
• Slow adoption of innovative technologies;
• Work-life imbalance;
• Lack of support networks;
• The influence of social norms, discrimination and biases.

The conference participants gained practical tools and knowledge through three interactive workshops:

1. “How to Make Finance Accessible for Women?” Moderated by Devrim Ziya Tavil, Transformation Director at Türk Ekonomi Bankası, this design thinking workshop proposed innovative solutions for creating financial products tailored to women.
2. “How to Secure Funding: 10 Essential Steps to Success.” This hands-on workshop led by investitii.MD offered concrete advice and real-life examples to help women entrepreneurs secure funding for their ideas.
3. “The Power of Financial Education and How to Protect Your Money.” The OK Financial Education Foundation and the National Commission for Financial Markets facilitated this session focused on effective personal finance management and financial security.

Guido Beltrani, Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office in Moldova, explained that promoting women’s economic empowerment is key to achieving gender equality, with access to finance critical. “Financial inclusion for women not only contributes to stronger economies, healthier families and more resilient communities but also fosters a fairer economy and supports climate resilience,” he said. “Through Switzerland-funded projects, we encourage women’s involvement in entrepreneurship, leadership roles and decision-making processes. By fostering collaboration and partnerships, we can inspire impactful actions to promote women’s economic empowerment and financial inclusion."

Katarina Fried, Sweden’s Ambassador to Moldova, also highlighted the importance of financial education for gender equality: "Gender equality in finance is not just a goal but a necessity for sustainable economic development. Financial institutions must understand the unique challenges women face to create financial products that meet their needs,” she said. “Every step forward by a woman represents progress toward a more equitable and inclusive financial future. Financial education is the foundation of economic empowerment, and accessible education is the key to financial inclusion. Through education, inclusion and community involvement, we can transform the financial sector into one that is fair and prosperous."

Yesim Oruc, UN Resident Coordinator in Moldova, concluded the conference by telling the participants that women’s economic empowerment is key to our collective development—it is crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Moldova’s European Union accession process. “Women’s financial empowerment has a clear economic rationale, and financial inclusion—beyond loans, including savings—plays a crucial role in securing their future,” she said. “I want to thank the private sector, particularly the 28 companies that have already joined the Women’s Empowerment Principles, and wish them continued success."