Women’s Livelihood Bond

Apr 23

Who: Women‘s Livelihood Bond

What: WLB5 and WLB6 (Women’s Livelihood Bond Series)

The Women's Livelihood Bond, developed by Impact Investment Exchange, is a pioneering initiative in gender-lens investing, aiming to empower underserved women across Asia and Africa through innovative financial instruments. The fifth and sixth bonds in the series, WLB5 and WLB6, exemplify this mission by mobilizing capital to support women's economic empowerment and resilience.

The WLB Series represents a significant advancement in impact investing by integrating gender-focused objectives with financial returns. Through strategic partnerships and innovative financing structures, these bonds have unlocked substantial capital to address systemic gender disparities and promote inclusive growth. By empowering women as agents of change, the WLB Series contributes to building resilient communities and advancing multiple Sustainable Development Goals.

WLB5

Launched as the world's first "Orange Bond," WLB5 raised US$50 million to support approximately 300,000 women and girls in emerging markets across Asia and Africa. The bond's proceeds are directed towards enterprises that provide women with access to affordable credit, micro-savings, insurance, agricultural inputs, and clean energy solutions. By focusing on sectors such as sustainable agriculture and renewable energy, WLB5 not only enhances women's livelihoods but also contributes to climate resilience and environmental sustainability

WBL6

Building on the success of its predecessors, WLB6 is the largest issuance in the series, raising US$100 million to benefit nearly 900,000 women and girls in countries including India, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kenya, and Vietnam. This bond continues the multi-country, multi-sector approach, investing in enterprises that bolster women's economic participation and community development. WLB6 is also issued under the Orange Bond framework, reinforcing its commitment to gender equality and sustainable development.