世界银行-塞拉利昂推进女性创业和金融普惠的改革之旅（英）

Sierra Leone’s Reform Journey to Advancing FemaleEntrepreneurship and Financial InclusionDaniela M. Behr and Alexis K. Cheney*ccess to fnance and equal economic opportunities are crucial for female entrepreneurs, fostering business growth and economic participation. Drawing on interviews with key stakeholders involved in the legal reform processes, this Brief examines how Sierra Leone made strides in its reform journey to expand women’s economic rights, including through the Directives on Provision of Financial Services on a Non-Discriminatory Basis of 2021, the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act of 2022, the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion (NSFI) 2022–2026, and the Employment Act of 2023. Te Brief identifes key drivers of reform: gender champions in government and political will, economic data and technical assistance from the international community, multistakeholder coalitions, as well as grassroots activity amplifying women’s voices and bridging the gap between civil society and lawmakers. Trough top-down and bottom-up initiatives working in tandem to create lasting change, Sierra Leone has enhanced women’s economic prospects and sets a powerful example for other economies in the region seeking to enact similar laws and policies. AEmpowering Female Entrepreneurs for Development Mariama Turay, a small shop owner in Freetown, Sierra Leone, exemplifes the transformative power of fnancial inclusion. Operating a thriving fabric store, she has expanded her business signifcantly thanks to a new fnancial initiative that ofers women credit at a reduced interest rate. Mariama accessed a small, low-interest loan designed for women in the informal sector, which helped her boost her small business. Refecting on her experience, she recalled, “I was so happy when I went for a loan and got it with a minimal interest rate.” Within three months, Mariama repaid the loan and saw substantial improvements in her business. Now, with renewed confdence in her fnancial stability, Mariama is planning to access more loans to help her business grow (Liberty TV Online and Bank of Sierra Leone 2024). Access to fnance and equal economic opportunities are not just enablers of individual business success; they are essential components of broader economic development. When women such as Mariama have access to fnancial services including credit, savings, and insurance, they can start and grow businesses, invest in education, and contribute to overall economic growth (Abdul Karim et al. 2022; Adedokun and Ağa 2023; Demirgüç-Kunt and Klapper 2012). Moreover, granting women access to fnancial services can challenge traditional gender norms that restrict women from seeking employment in the formal sector or starting a business (Perrin, Bertrand, and Klein 2023). When women have equal access to fnancial services, they have more control over their economic resources, which can enhance their decision-making power within households and societies (Hendricks