Queen Máxima speaks with French minister Bruno Le Maire about Women’s Economic Empowerment
On Friday 6 December Her Majesty Queen Máxima, in her capacity as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA), met with French finance minister Bruno Le Maire in Paris. They spoke about strengthening the economic position of women in Africa and how the G7 can contribute to this. France holds the presidency of the G7 this year.
At the proposal of France, the G7 has committed to supporting Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) on the African continent. It will work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Easy access to financial services is an important condition for women’s economic development. Worldwide, women are at a disadvantage compared to men in terms of access to and use of bank accounts. In developed countries the gap is 7% and in developing countries 9% (Global Findex 2017). Queen Máxima previously spoke with Mr Le Maire on this issue in September in the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Since 2009 Queen Máxima, in her capacity as UNSGSA, has been working worldwide to make financial services accessible to all, including low-income groups, SMEs and women, with the aim of improving their economic and social development opportunities.