By Haley Costen
Staff Writer

Mary Ellen Iskenderian spoke of her experience as the president and CEO of the nonprofit organization Women’s World Banking at the Spring Warburg Lecture on Tuesday, March 25.

The title of her lecture, “There’s Nothing Micro About One Billion Women,” comes from the fact that about one billion women across the world do not have access to basic banking services.

“Engaging women in the economy is a wonderful way of advancing societies,” Iskenderian said, adding that 70 percent of the world’s poor are women.

Iskenderian shared her experiences in several countries: recounting when a Nigerian banker remarked he had no idea there were female business owners just across the road, and witnessing Pakastani women  getting to open their first bank accounts.

Iskenderian grew emotional as she explained that when the shipment of ID’s arrived for women to legally open their bank accounts, they suddenly realized that with ID’s they could not only open their own accounts, but vote.

Much of Iskenderian’s lecture was devoted to the importance of financial independence for women.

Iskenderian said that women who have more financial security are more secure in their homes and less likely to be victims of domestic violence. Also, women who have access to their own money are more likely to engage more with their community.

Her lecture not only emphasized the importance of female independence, but the success of Women’s World Banking and the value in including women in the economy.

There are 39 Women’s World Banking institutions and banks in 29 countries, according to Iskenderian. Women’s World Banking has reached 19 million clients, with over $4.5 billion in savings accounts.