The ‘Feminization of Poverty’ in Developing Countries and the Role of Microfinance in Poverty Reduction

This article is by no means a comprehensive analysis of the differences in the economic roles and impacts of men and women in different societies. It serves as a brief overview of the place of women in the economies of the developing world. Without question, women have an active economic role in developing economies. However, the more pressing question is the extent of the role of women, not just as mothers or caretakers of the future, but also as the keys to economic resurgence. This article examines the economic costs of gender discrimination to societies, especially to the economies of developing countries, and then briefly examines the reality of women’s economic contributions. In addition, the anomaly between the perception of women’s economic contributions and the reality of their contributions is discussed. Finally, this paper explores the role of microfinance as a tool to be used to better reconcile women’s economic potential and their roles in the formal economy

Maximizing Impact: An Integrated Strategy for Grantmaking and Mission Investing in Climate Change

With funding from The Surdna Foundation, FSG has developed this report to help foundations identify how various mission investing instruments and opportunities can help them create greater impact. Guided by an expert Advisory Board and based on interviews with more than 50 practitioners from the field, the report provides a framework for foundations to think about how mission investments can create the greatest impact when combined with grants in an integrated program portfolio, with a specific focus on climate change