Microfinance—both credit and savings—has potential to improve the well- being of poor women in developing countries …. This paper explores practical ways to achieve that potential. Based on lessons from informal saving mechanisms that women … already use, the paper proposes two savings services designed to address the development issues that confront women. The …

growth was rapid, it was not enough to produce greater gender equality. A concentration of women in mobile export industries … effects on growth and well- being, and has done little to promote greater gender equality. This paper argues that the example … that face severe competition from other low-wage countries reduces their bargaining power and inhibits closure of gender …