Understanding the types of financial products and services available in terms of; – the types of providers, the services which are regularly or less frequently used, services which are paid for and for how much, and challenges in accessing the financial products and services. As Bank of Zambia, we believe that this study will also contribute to the documentation of information relating to financial inclusion. The information is important to aid in policy formulation by the government and potentially inform business strategy of financial service providers to reach out to the un-banked citizens. We encourage other stakeholders to contribute to this necessary body of knowledge in our financial sector. Financial inclusion for the majority of our people, especially women, is a corner stone of our financial sector development. The Honourable Minister of Finance in his 2014 National Budget address, set the stage by emphasising the need to accelerate broad based growth, diversification of the economy and the entrenchment of social justice so that all Zambians, rural or urban, male or female, young or old and including the differently abled, benefit from and contribute to national development. Ladies and Gentlemen, it has been reported at various fora that our women continue to face challenges in accessing financial products and services. These barriers range from cultural, legal, financial and sometimes religious discrimination among others. However, access to finance and financial services in general, has in the recent past been cited as a major challenge to the participation of women in economic development.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Conference is a dissemination and consultation forum aimed at presenting and reviewing the findings of a study on “Women’s Access to Financial Services in Zambia”. This conference is therefore a platform for reflection and consultation among various stakeholders present here today. Bank of Zambia recognises that an insight into the Women’s Access to Financial Services is critical to overcoming existing barriers to financial inclusion and devising appropriate strategies for empowering the women to realise their full economic potential and contribute to as well as benefit from the economic growth that the country is enjoying. It is in this regard that the Bank of Zambia commissioned the study on “Women’s Access to Financial Services in Zambia”. I invited New Faces New Voices to replicate the study on “Women’s Access to Financial Services in Mozambique” that was conducted for the Central Bank of Mozambique in 2013. Ladies and Gentlemen, Specifically, the study is expected to provide in depth understanding on the following two perspectives: 1. Understanding gender perspectives on usage of financial services; levels and trends, sources of finance; formal, semi-formal and informal, financial products provided; credit, savings, insurance, remittances, mobile banking and other financial products and services. The regional distribution; rural versus urban and the awareness versus  BIS central bankers’ speeches  1  understanding and perceptions of access to finance, the constraints, opportunities for financial education, financial decision making process, and household dynamics that confront women. 2.