Exploring Financial Inclusion and Gender: A Structured Literature Review

Abstract

In recent years, female entrepreneurship and women-led businesses have experienced significant growth. However, these ventures often face challenges in securing financial resources, limiting their potential and performance. This research aims to analyze the development of literature on financial inclusion and gender gaps, uncovering their implications for female entrepreneurship and identifying emerging trends and patterns. Through the implementation of a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) methodology, this study examines 352 sources. Despite notable progress, critical challenges remain for women in accessing financing and formal financial services. These barriers are influenced by geographic, socioeconomic, and cultural factors that vary across regions. Key strategies identified in the reviewed literature include leveraging digital tools, microfinance, technological innovations, and financial education. The findings highlight that promoting financial inclusion is crucial for reducing gender gaps and encouraging female entrepreneurship. This review offers valuable insights into the factors that impact financial inclusion from a business perspective, emphasizing its transformative role in increasing women's economic participation. Limitations of this study include the manual analysis of SLR results and reliance on a single database, which may constrain the breadth of the findings. Future research should focus on overcoming barriers to financial access through innovative products, digital services, and technological tools. Analyzing both demand and supply factors is essential for developing effective policies. Financial inclusion should be considered an integral component of financial development, as providing more efficient and innovative services to vulnerable groups is essential.