Women’s Demand for Financial Services in Conflict and Post Conflict Areas

For this study, a total of fourteen focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 146 participants across the four states. 88.5 percent of the participants were women, who represented a range of different ethnic groups. The WEFIP team also met with 24 local NGOs, 12 INGOs, 18 financial service providers and government entities across states and at the national level to further understand the local context and enabling environment.

This case study explores the conditions experienced by women and girls in Kachin, Northern Shan, Rakhine and Kayah states in terms of their demand for and access to financial services and products. It also provides findings in terms of the degree to which women and girls’ financial inclusion is influenced by demand-side, supply-side or enabling environment constraints and socio-cultural contexts