News analysis The 'she-economy' is thriving, but gaps remain. What's next?

Since the United Nations officially recognised International Women's Day in 1977, women have achieved extraordinary progress across key socio-economic metrics globally.

- Tan Min Lan

Today, women control US$32 trillion (S$43 trillion) in global spending and are projected to wield 75 per cent of discretionary spending within the next five years, according to Nielsen and Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

Yet despite these gains, persistent disparities remain across regions and sectors, particularly in health outcomes, educational attainment and economic opportunities.

International Women's Day, which falls on March 8, offers a crucial moment to assess existing gaps and the business potential of directing capital towards dismantling the barriers women still face today.

We unpack this approach, known generally as gender-lens investing, in three ways: investing for women, in women, and by women.

INVESTMENTS FOR WOMEN

Few would dispute that female consumers drive business growth. Yet a global BCG survey found that women largely feel that companies fail to adequately meet their needs.

In our view, three key areas present the most compelling long-term financial opportunities for businesses and impact: financial inclusion, education and healthcare.

Financial inclusion: Digital financial services across savings, borrowing and investing have helped economically disadvantaged women access services that were previously out of reach. This trend is poised to accelerate, with McKinsey projecting that emerging markets' share of global fintech revenues will double in the next five years (from 15 per cent in 2022), making fintech a compelling investment opportunity.