, 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 understanding and perceptions of access to finance, the constraints, opportunities for financial education, financial decision making process, and household dynamics that confront women. 2. 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. as you are aware, finance can be looked at as the oil that lubricates smooth economic growth and therefore any impediments to accessing this important resource has an adverse impact on the country ’ s economic growth prospects. the study and this conference have come at an opportune time when we are focusing on enabling all zambians to be empowered financially and ultimately economically so that we reduce the high levels of poverty in the country. i have no doubt that the findings of the study, will stimulate profound discussions which will shape the efforts going forward on financial inclusion and promulgate the financial inclusion agenda to all zambians. distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, it will, however,

from the study. it is my hope and trust that you will take advantage of this forum to initiate dialogue between women entrepreneurs and women in general and the various other stakeholders to propose mechanisms to accelerate women ’ s access to finance. this is an opportunity also for women to discuss challenges faced in accessing various financial products and services. equally, it is an opportunity for other stakeholders, especially financial services providers to enlighten all of us on financial products and other services on offer to mitigate the challenges women face. may i take this opportunity to thank the partners who financed and supported the study and conference : financial sector deepening zambia germany cooperation / giz, new faces new voices, and making finance work for africa. the bank of zambia looks forward to continued cordial relations and partnership in fostering developments in the area of financial inclusion for women and other areas of cooperation. ladies and gentlemen, as i wish you all a successful conference, it is now my honour and privilege to declare the conference officially opened. i thank you. bis central bankers ’ speeches