b'When women have access to savings and income, they are more likely than men to invest in education, health care and nutritious food for their families.And this impact isnt isolated to one communityAcross rural, low-income communities, people in Rwanda. Savings and loans just like the fundsreport significant worry about how to pay for basic Vestine manages with her group can unlockexpenses like school fees and medical care in the opportunity and improve lives for vulnerableevent of illness, and the World Bank Global Findex farmers around the world, especially women. TheDatabase 2021, which measures global access to true wealth of change, however, comes when itsfinancial services, found only about half of adults in made available.developing economies would have access to emergency money if they needed it within 30 days.The Global Outlook Financial vulnerability at this level can make it The world has made remarkable progress innearly impossible to invest in a better future, and financial access in the past decade: Accountthis is the unrelenting paradox of rural farmers ownership of adults increased 50% between 2011 and 2021, and the World Bank estimates 76% of adults had an account at a bank or financial institution in 2021.Financial access, such as having a basic savings account, is important because it supports families day-to-day living and helps them plan for the future, including preparing for unexpected costs or saving for business needs, like tools and equipment. Yet, 1.4 billion adults remain unbanked, with women less likely than men to have their name on an account. Faced with barriers like lack of money, unreasonable distance to a bank branch or insufficient documentation, it can be especially challenging for the rural poor to start a formal bank account from which they can build a secure life for their families.Almost everything was difficult because I didnt have sufficient financial capacity to get anything I wanted, explained Vestine of her situation before joining her farmers group and engaging in group savings. She grew just enough potatoes to feed her family, she said, and struggled to pay for other Vestine Icyimanizanye essentials. Some of my children were going toharvests pyrethrum plants school, but it was very difficult to get their schoolgrown with her farmers group. fees and scholastic materials like exercise booksThe plants flowers can be sold for processing into a potent, and pens. I barely had the capacity to meet thenatural insecticide.family needs.HEIFER.ORG |17'