Women’s World Banking, the largest global network of microfinance institutions and banks

Women’s World Banking, the largest global network of microfinance institutions and banks dedicated to the economic empowerment of women, held its 8th annual Microfinance and the Capital Markets Conference on March 23 and 24 in New York City.

“The increasing role of the capital markets in microfinance is critical to the future of the industry and to the financial wellbeing of commercial banks and investors who are looking for new opportunities,”

said Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO of Women’s World Banking.

“Investments in microfinance will not only open new markets to commercial banks, but it will expand opportunities for millions of women around the world who deserve a chance to be financially independent.”

The closing remarks were be given by Pulitzer Prize winning author Sheryl WuDunn (first Asian American to win a Pulitzer Prize), who co-wrote with her husband, Nicholas Kristof, Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide. Ms. WuDunn was also being honored at the WWB Global Dinner last night with leaders from its network of 40 microfinance institutions to celebrate and benefit a shared mission of empowering women through microfinance.

“One of the best ways to fight poverty is to educate women and give them economic opportunity. Microfinance institutions are at the center of that solution. I’m looking forward to seeing more and more people getting involved in this effort,”

said Sheryl WuDunn.

(Above – Ms. WuDunn with WWB President and CEO Mary Ellen Iskenderian at the 8th annual WWB Microfinance and the Capital Markets Conference and the WWB Global Dinner last night.)