Advancing Gender Equality, Financial Inclusion, and Climate Action: Neha Mehta on Empowering Women and Marginalized Groups in FinTech
1. Digital Financial Empowerment for Women in Developing Economies
a. How do you ensure that women in developing economies, like ASEAN and Oceania, can access and benefit from digital financial services?
At FemTech Partners, we focus on simplifying digital financial services for women through digital literacy programs and tailored products. We partner with local organizations to address specific barriers such as lack of mobile access, trust, or formal education. By offering financial products that cater to women’s needs—like micro-loans and savings accounts accessible via mobile phones—we empower women to make financial decisions independently.
b. Can you share a success story where your initiatives helped significantly improve access to finance for women or marginalized groups?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we collaborated with domestic workers in Singapore to transition them from offline cash transactions to online financial services. Many of these women were previously unbanked, relying on traditional remittance channels. Through our initiative, we introduced them to mobile banking and robo-advisory platforms, empowering them to make informed financial decisions.
Over time, several domestic workers began investing in robo-advisory services and even in cryptocurrency, which was a huge step toward financial independence. One standout case involved a worker who managed her savings so effectively that she eventually purchased a house in her home country. This project also ensured that remittances were more efficient, smoother, and at lower costs, helping these women send money back home safely during the pandemic. The sense of empowerment they felt was inspiring, and many have since become advocates for digital financial inclusion within their communities. 
c. What role do you see FinTech playing in closing the gap for women in emerging markets, and how does FemTech Partners address this issue?
FinTech enables us to bypass traditional barriers by offering digital access to financial services. Mobile wallets, digital savings, and micro-lending can reach women in areas where physical banks are scarce. At FemTech Partners, we focus on user-friendly, low-cost digital platforms tailored to women’s needs, ensuring they feel comfortable using these tools.
2. Climate Sustainability and the Blue Economy
Our solution calculates energy savings by continuously monitoring energy consumption and performance metrics, allowing for precise analysis of efficiency improvements and operational adjustments. This data-driven approach has enabled our clients to achieve measurable impacts, such as reducing their energy consumption by up to 25%, significantly lowering their overall environmental footprint and greenhouse gas emissions.
a. What challenges do you see in implementing climate-focused financial solutions in developing nations, and how can FinTech accelerate progress?
The biggest challenges are infrastructure gaps and financial illiteracy. FinTech can bridge these gaps by providing accessible digital platforms that offer climate-friendly financial solutions, such as green bonds or micro-insurance for climate risks. We also need to educate users about these solutions, which is why financial literacy is integral to our programs.
b. How can financial inclusion and climate sustainability be integrated to support ocean-based economies in SIDS?
By leveraging digital financial services, we can support small businesses in ocean-based economies. For example, FinTech solutions like mobile savings accounts and micro-insurance help fishermen and small-scale marine businesses manage risks from climate change while also offering financial resilience.
c. How important is collaboration between businesses and governments, and what role does policy reform play?
Collaboration is crucial. Governments need to create an enabling environment through policy reforms, such as tax incentives for green projects and streamlined regulations for FinTech start-ups. Businesses, in turn, can offer innovative solutions that address both financial inclusion and climate resilience, driving change at the grassroots level.
d. How does FemTech Partners integrate environmental considerations into your financial inclusion strategies?
At FemTech Partners, we focus on promoting sustainable financial practices by integrating environmental awareness into our financial inclusion strategies. We collaborate with financial institutions to create incentives for businesses adopting green practices. Additionally, our financial literacy programs educate individuals and small businesses about the importance of climate risks, sustainability, and how adopting eco-friendly operations can enhance their financial resilience. By empowering communities with the knowledge to make environmentally conscious financial decisions, we contribute to the broader goal of climate sustainability.
e. What are the most promising opportunities in the blue economy that can support both financial inclusion and climate sustainability?
Marine-based micro-enterprises offer great potential. FinTech can support these ventures by providing microloans for sustainable aquaculture or fisheries, helping small businesses grow while promoting environmental sustainability. The development of ocean-based eco-tourism, supported by digital payment platforms, is another promising area.
f. How does technology address climate challenges while promoting economic opportunities for women in developing economies?
Technology can democratize access to climate-resilient financial products, such as insurance against natural disasters or loans for eco-friendly businesses. By simplifying access to these services via mobile platforms, women in rural areas can benefit from the financial and environmental protection they provide.
3. Leveraging Emotional Intelligence in FinTech Leadership
a. How does emotional intelligence (EI) enhance leadership in the FinTech sector?
Emotional intelligence enables leaders to better understand and respond to the needs of both customers and employees. In FinTech, this can lead to more innovative solutions that genuinely address users’ pain points, as well as a more inclusive, empathetic work environment that encourages creativity and collaboration.
b. Do you believe that emotional intelligence gives women a unique advantage in the FinTech space?
c. What steps have you taken to create a supportive environment for women at FemTech Partners?
We prioritize mentorship, open communication, and leadership opportunities for women. Emotional intelligence plays a key role in my leadership style; I focus on creating a culture of empathy and inclusivity where women feel supported to take risks and grow professionally.
4. Innovating for Financial Inclusion and Sustainability
a. What innovative strategies did FemTech Partners employ in projects like the Prosperity Fund and Bangladesh Outreach?
In both the Prosperity Fund and Bangladesh Outreach projects, FemTech Partners focused on creating an enabling environment for financial inclusion through collaboration with regulators and key stakeholders. We worked closely with regulators to shape policies that promote financial inclusion, particularly for marginalized groups. In Bangladesh, we conducted in-depth research to understand the barriers women in rural areas face in accessing financial services. This led to exploring partnership with bKash, a leading mobile financial service provider, and other digital wallet platforms to expand financial access. By integrating digital finance solutions, such as mobile wallets and digital payments, we empowered women to access financial services conveniently and securely, ultimately improving their economic independence and participation in the digital economy.
b. How can large corporations work with FinTech innovators to drive financial inclusion and sustainability goals?
Corporations can provide funding, mentorship, and market access for FinTech start-ups. Collaborations, like with BlackRock, allow us to scale financial inclusion initiatives by leveraging corporate resources and expertise while providing sustainable solutions to the underserved.
c. How do you see mobile money and e-KYC evolving to enhance financial inclusion?
Mobile money and e-KYC are already transforming financial inclusion by reducing barriers to entry. As these technologies evolve, we’ll see more seamless integration into local ecosystems, allowing even more people to access financial services, especially in remote and underserved areas.
5. Driving Gender Diversity in FinTech
a. What are the key barriers preventing women from entering the FinTech space, and how can FemTech Partners help overcome them?
b. How has your collaboration with initiatives like The Female Factor and the FinTech Power 50 influenced the development of women leaders in FinTech?
c. What advice would you give to young women looking to make their mark in FinTech and sustainability?
