International Women's Day means a lot to us here at Kiva. Since our founding, 80% of our loans have gone to women around the world who are working hard to turn their dreams into reality. But when financial access is not equitably available to all, determination and ambition can only get you so far. I recognize that for all the progress we’ve made, there are more than 740 million women still facing barriers to financial inclusion. International Women's Day is a time to reflect on our role in helping to break down those barriers.
This year, my team challenged our lending and partner communities to join us in supporting loans for 4,000 women. Not only did our supporters meet and exceed that goal, fully funding 4,279 loans for women, but the impacts are reaching even more women and communities around the world.
Kiva’s 2024 International Women’s Day celebration
Reaching this goal was a collaborative effort that called upon Kiva employees, lenders, volunteers, and partners, and each group answered Kiva’s call. Through new product engagement opportunities, including an expanded social sharing experience, activity feeds, and the option for lending without a Kiva account, as well as an integrated approach alongside Kiva’s strategic partners, we were able to achieve greater impact for our borrowers.
The results of the International Women’s Day campaign challenge include:
4,279 loans for women fully funded
Over $2.3 million in loans raised
12,901 women impacted (including fully and partially funded loans)
19,369 lenders participated
6 participating partner organizations, who helped drive $1.2 million in loans to women during the campaign:
Each individual lender who contributed to our efforts was awarded an IWD badge for their Kiva profile to mark their commitment to women during this campaign. For our strategic partners, the corporations and organizations supporting our work to champion gender equality year-round, we rolled out new partner tools including impact-focused landing pages (view UGG’s page as an example), highlighting our mutual work to expand financial inclusion. Our partners encouraged their audiences to join the campaign on social media — like this post from USWNTPA challenging their followers to support 100 fully funded loans for women — leading to more engagement and more borrowers supported.
Stories of women fully funded during International Women’s Day
Here are just a few of the women who were supported with a fully funded loan during Kiva’s International Women’s Day campaign, demonstrating the global impact of Kiva’s mission.
Anne, Kenya
Anne is the owner of a thriving salon business in Kenya who also juggles the roles of a single mother to two children and caretaker for her grandchildren, Anne's unwavering commitment to her family is what drives her entrepreneurial ambitions. Through her salon in town, Anne not only sustains her household but also enriches the community by providing essential beauty services and supporting local suppliers. Anne sought a Kiva loan to support her in maintaining her competitive edge through Kiva Lending Partner ECLOF Kenya. With her loan, she plans to replenish her stock of braids, weaves, hair oils, and facial products, ensuring her salon remains a beacon of quality and style in the market.
Yisela, Colombia
Yisela is a determined entrepreneur residing in Colombia, and has been managing a machinery rental business in her town. Yisela sought a Kiva loan, through Kiva Lending Partner Interactuar, to expand her business by purchasing three washing machines, allowing her to capitalize on discounts and continue providing rental services to her clientele. Recognizing a gap in the market for household appliances, Yisela aims to offer a valuable service to her community while generating profits to support her child's education and contribute to her household's financial stability.
Miyung, Thailand
In the serene hills of Northern Thailand resides Miyung, a member of the Akha tribe and farm owner. Previously, Miyung farmed vegetable crops but was not able to make ends meet due to the inconsistency of the crop yields. Now, with the support of her Kiva loan, she will be able to purchase 700 hens through Hilltribe Organics to establish her own egg farm. Providing farmers with the financial access they need to make these adaptations to changing climates is critical, and not only will this loan help Miyung build a more consistent monthly income but it will also provide a means for her to send her children to school.
Irina and Nicole, United States
Irina and Nicole made the journey from Costa Rica to the United States in 2019 to create better opportunities for their families. Unable to practice their established careers in nursing and esthetics due to being in a new country, they found an unexpected opportunity through a cleaning job which sparked their entrepreneurial spirit, leading them to establish Pureness Cleaning Services. Through sheer dedication and hard work, they acquired over 60 clients and commercial contracts, and their fully funded Kiva loan will be used to expand their transportation and hire more employees. Irina and Nicole are proud that they can use this opportunity to, in their words, “control our destinies and provide our families with the lives we always wanted to give them.”
On the road to supporting 8 million women by 2028
On behalf of the 4,279 women who now have the financial access they need to support their dreams, we are incredibly grateful to each of you who contributed to Kiva’s International Women’s Day campaign. We’re on our way to our goal of supporting 8 million women with financial access by 2028 and I invite each of you to join us, whether you are an individual ready to lend or an organization excited to partner. As this International Women’s Day proved, we do so much more together than alone.
With gratitude,
🙏💚
-Vishal
