About our work

A team of New Perimeter lawyers assisted CARE in carrying out a pilot advocacy project aimed at strengthening the financial rights of women in Africa. The team evaluated the legal and regulatory schemes in Malawi, Rwanda and Mali and analyzed how they function in practice and how they impact women’s ability to access savings and credit services. New Perimeter team members then participated in workshops for CARE staff members in Malawi and Rwanda to present their research and to help the country office staff to identify and prioritize advocacy opportunities in the area of financial inclusion.

Key deliverables

• Evaluated and analyzed the legal and regulatory schemes in Malawi, Rwanda and Mali and how they impact women’s ability to access savings and credit services
• Participated in workshops for CARE office staff in Malawi and Rwanda

Key facts

• The team researched issues that might pose barriers to women’s access to financial services, including: banking and microfinance regulatory restrictions, branchless banking limitations, lack of financial literacy and social protection policies and the impact of Sharia law.
• The team also examined the regulatory environment for NGOs in Rwanda, Malawi and Mali to explore ways to remove restrictions that impede the NGOs’ ability to assist in expanding women’s access to financial services in these countries.

Featured staff

Program manager: Sara K. Andrews