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Welcome Letter
Dear Friend,
I am still feeling ‘high’ from the incredible gathering at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI). With its star studded line up, the most heartening thing at CGI was to see its commitment towards girls, women and the environment. Thus, it was indeed an honor to announce IIX’s commitment at CGI for women’s health through our Women’s Impact Bond.
Among the many take-aways and wisdom gained from the 2008 financial crisis, the two that stand out in my mind are, one, while the markets melted globally, the microfinance institutions still gave on average 14% return to its shareholders and two, if we had more female finance ministers, given the ‘holistic’ approach that women usually take in any field, this financial crisis could have been avoided. In other words, financial markets cannot ignore the part women play in this equation. With this wisdom, impact investing has grown over the last six years and continues to do its part to have women in center with the hope that the traditional markets will soon follow.
This IQ is dedicated to the women and men who are tirelessly working to make women a part of the sustainable growth equation.
Enjoy our version of ‘women power’!
From a beautiful, rainy Dhaka amid all the incredible women who shaped my life,
Durreen Shahnaz
Founder of IIX & Shujog |
Redefining Growth
For decades now, women have been classified as the ‘vulnerable’ section of society. Recent statistics suggest that while women make up for half of the world’s population, they represent 70% of the poor population.
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In the Spotlight
IIX is proud to announce its latest offering to the development of the Impact Investing space: The Women’s Impact Bond (WIB). Launched officially at the recent Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) annual meeting, the WIB represents IIX’s commitment to the CGI.
Read more.
Janice Wilson came to Cambodia from New York City in 2008 on a corporate legal assignment and never left. Struck by the plight of victims of sex trafficking and recognizing a market need for the supply of human hair extensions, Ms Wilson founded an online manufacturing and retail social enterprise called Arjuni.
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Very few countries have suffered through a three-decade long war and a devastating tsunami in recent history. It is a country that acutely requires unique solutions to generate employment for its displaced youth and to realize the full potential of its natural resources.
Read more.
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Sector Insights
Imagine for a moment that if institutions like Grameen, the UN gender office or the Clinton Global Initiative had five times the amount of program funding available today. What would the world look like?
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Reflections
Financial Inclusion of women has been one of the key development priorities to ensure gender equality and empowerment. Amy Duffuor from IIX speaks to Michaela Walsh from Women’s World Banking to understand the status of financial inclusion for women.
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Investor's Corner
In an interview, Ms. Kalpana Raina recalled her beginnings in impact investment. It was 2009 when she found herself on a "roadshow" with Durreen Shahnaz, founder of Shujog and IIX, to raise interest about the sector which was still in its embryonic stage. She had observed then that "despite all the credentials, despite all the access and despite all the networks that both of us had, this was going to be a very tough task."
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Voices from the Field
When Lastiana started Aliet Green back in 2009, she set out to introduce Indonesia’s indigenous commodities to the world; and through that quest, promote values of fair trade, honest respect, and empowerment among every individual working in the agriculture value chain.
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