Trying to get women to open bank accounts has proven to be one of the sticking points in universal financial inclusion. Women are being held back for a variety of reasons, but objections from a patriarchal society and lack of formal documentation are no longer at the top of the list. The reasons can be more subtle.
For women who live in remote areas and do not travel far from their home in their daily lives, they may not come across a bank branch or a banking agent. For those who do, the imposing stone facades can be enough to stop them crossing the threshold. For banking to work for everyone, it needs to be welcoming to everyone.
