We Effect works across four countries in southern Africa: Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Mozambique. In all programmes, financial inclusion is a key component. Our model of women’s economic empowerment affirms that access to financial services is critical to effectively ensuring women’s economic advancement and empowerment. Our Women’s Economic Empowerment Model works in five spheres: social, individual, material, environmental, and legislative. We Effect believes that for change to be effective for women, it is essential to provide inputs, which range from knowledge, access to information, assets, and financial services.
We Effect has worked extensively with financial inclusion in the region. We have projects ranging from tailor-made insurance for farmers to establishing and continuing to support village savings and loan associations (VSLAs) and SACCOs. Financial services also contribute to social and economic resilience, which is becoming increasingly important as rural communities face heightened vulnerability to the negative impacts of climate change. Please read the full case study which was compiled by Sian Morgan, the Regional Program Director for Southern Africa and the ROSA team here: https://weeffect.org/app/uploads/2024/10/final-case-study-vsla-lundazi.pdf