OUR MISSION

Women's World Banking's mission is to expand the economic assets, participation and power of low-income women entrepreneurs by helping them access financial services and information.

The idea for WWB was conceived during the first United Nations World Conference on Women, held in Mexico City in 1975. At this meeting, ten visionary women from five continents articulated an innovative concept: that supporting the entrepreneurial efforts of low-income women through small loans could be a major force in the global fight against poverty.

WWB was established in 1976 and incorporated in the Netherlands in 1979 as an international non-profit organization. Its full name is Stichting (Foundation) to Promote Women's World Banking, and is generally known as Women's World Banking (WWB). Friends of WWB/USA, Inc. is a fundraising 501(c)3 entity registered in the United States.