Scaling up innovative finance for gender equality and women’s empowerment

This publication highlights UN Women’s pioneering work in advancing innovative finance solutions to close the gender financing gap and accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With an estimated USD 420 billion annual shortfall in financing for gender equality across developing countries, the publication underscores the urgency of mobilizing private capital alongside traditional development finance.

Structured around four pillars—raising awareness and enabling environments; stakeholder dialogue platforms; standards and accountability in sustainable finance; and showcasing innovative financial instruments—the publication presents global, regional, and national experiences where UN Women partnered with governments, development banks, regulators, and private sector actors.

The case studies span diverse contexts, from developing gender bond frameworks and taxonomies in Latin America to advancing gender finance in Asia to promoting inclusive digital platforms in Africa and the Caribbean. Together, they demonstrate proof-of-concept tools and approaches that integrate gender equality into sustainable finance systems, foster accountability, and unlock resources for women’s empowerment.

By documenting lessons learned and best practices, this compendium serves as a knowledge resource for policymakers, investors, financial institutions, and civil society. It illustrates how innovative financing mechanisms can be designed and scaled to ensure women’s economic empowerment, expand access to markets and finance, and position gender equality at the heart of sustainable development.