Esohe Denise Odaro

Diversity & Inclusion Social Responsibility

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Esohe Denise Odaro is a leading figure in the development of the sustainable bond market and heading investor relations globally for International Finance Corporation. She is also the Chair of the Steering Committee of the Green, Social and Sustainability-linked Bond Principles administered by International Capital Markets Association, a Member of the ESG Leadership Council of S&P Global and the co-host of the sustainability podcast "Climate-Biz". She was named “Personality of the Year” in 2020 by Environmental Finance Magazine.

Esohe Denise Odaro

Feb 07 2022

The potential of sustainable bonds to finance gender equality

Illuminem Voices

Social Responsibility · Diversity & Inclusion

Unfortunately, many women around the world still do not have the same access to critical opportunities and essential services as their male counterparts. This extends to access to finance. More than 1 billion women still do not use or have access to the financial system, according to World Bank Group data. IFC has estimated that, worldwide, a $300 billion gap in financing exists for formal, women-owned small businesses, and more than 70 per cent of women-owned small and medium enterprises have inadequate or no access to financial services.