In developing countries, in particular, the vast majority of employers, workers and the self-employed make a living through these types of enterprises. A major constraint to the expansion and growth of small and micro-enterprises is the lack of access to finance. This is due, in particular, to the small size of their operations and the fact that they are located mainly in the informal sector, beyond the scope of any regulatory framework. Both factors imply costs and risks that few banks are prepared to accept. Gender determines differences in the access of men and women to credit, deposits, and other financial services.
Women have less access to credit than men, as has been amply documented.
Over the years, many targeted schemes have been launched to create more equal access to markets and especially to credit, land and productive assets. The access to and availability of finance, for both men and women, is affected by demand and supply-side constraints which, in most, instances impact upon women more severely. On the demand-side, cultural and social norms often determine whether a woman can undertake an activity that generates cash. In some societies, women have no opportunity to invest, produce, sell and save. In other societies, women are charged with economic activities without being remunerated in cash nor having access to a market.