Gender equality

The US backlash against ESG is broadening, moving from mainly focusing on environmental issues to target diversity, equity and inclusion. European investors are being drawn in, writes Christopher Walker.

The Southeast Asia Women’s Economic Empowerment Fund, backed by Danish pension fund Pӕdagogernes Pension, has invested in Teky Alpha JSC to support childhood education in Vietnam.

Launched by Oxfam Novib and Goodwell Investments, the Pepea fund will invest in the sustainable agriculture, energy, clean mobility and logistics, and waste management sectors with a focus on female entrepreneurs.

Impact Investor marks International Women’s Day by talking to female fund managers and entrepreneurs driving impact across sectors, from fashion to biodiversity data.

Borski Fund will use this latest injection of capital to make follow-on and new investments in companies led by female tech entrepreneurs offering products and services for women.

Female and mixed gender-led businesses remain grossly underfunded and largely ignored by mainstream investors, but the tide is beginning to turn. 

Four principles provide actionable guidance for wider investment community throughout the investment cycle, from pre-investment to exit.  

The climate crisis cannot be solved without involving women, some of the world’s leading investment funds, foundations and financial institutions said in a joint letter published ahead of COP27

British International Investment is leading a new equity round in fintech Kinara which aims to facilitate the provision of loans to small businesses in India via an app-based model.

An interesting read about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at work and its failures. Although the book is very US-centric, much of what it has to say has a global application