International Women’s Day is just business as usual for Kiva

March 4, 2020

By: Casey Miller

For nearly 15 years, the Kiva community has become a spark of hope and support for over 2.8 million ambitious, multi-tasking, powerful women in 98 countries. This incredible, hardworking community has chosen to celebrate and empower women by funding over $1 billion in loans to women borrowers over the years.

That doesn’t happen in one day. This happens every day.

Simply put, this is our norm. It’s our business as usual. Kiva’s entire mission is oriented around empowering those who do not have financial access to change their lives. We’re here, as a community, to provide capital to women who are bold enough to achieve their dreams. Bold enough to start a business, study at a university, provide for their families and be financially independent.

This International Women’s Day provides Kiva lenders with another opportunity to give a hand up to the women around the world who are working to make a difference for themselves, their families and their communities.

There are so many reasons we lend to women, it’s nearly impossible to list. We’re here for borrowers like Abigail, whose generosity knows no bounds, as she takes in and cares for children from turbulent homes in her community. Ambitious and kindhearted, Abigail deserves to get a university education at the same time.

Abigail from Ghana used her Kiva loan to pay for university tuition.

Kiva lenders know that everyone, of every age and ability, deserves a chance to change their lives and the lives of generations after them. That’s why we were thrilled to hear Estefania’s story, in which she described her mother’s Kiva loan serving as a financial fail-safe for her in the coming years. Estefania now takes care of 6 family members, owns a small convenience store and is taking on a new project: harvesting her mom’s broad beans.

Chum from Cambodia used her Kiva loan to purchase a water filter.

We, the Kiva community, are here for the entrepreneurs, the boss ladies and the small business owners. Women like Joyeuse, a Kiva borrower from Kenya, are leading the charge as franchise owners for sustainable businesses.

Supporting women isn’t just for special occasions. It’s our business as usual at Kiva. Let’s celebrate women every day.

Right now, new Monthly Good sign-ups get $50 in lending credits when you choose "women" as your lending category! Stay tuned for more events throughout the week.