Gender Lens Investing (GLI)
The e-MFP Gender Lens Investing Action Group (GLI AG) brings together a diverse group of inclusive finance practitioners committed to advancing gender lens investing (GLI) across financial service providers, investors, technical assistance providers, and other sector stakeholders.
Originally launched in 2024, the GLI AG provided a platform for discussion, peer exchange, and kicked off with a survey of how e-MFP and AG members use, understand and prioritise difference GLI tools and resources. In early 2025, following extensive consultations with members, e-MFP relaunched the AG with a sharper, more practical focus. Members had made it clear: while GLI is a compelling concept, what’s most needed now is curated, actionable guidance for real-world implementation.
Under this new two-year phase (2025–2026), the GLI AG is focused on two core activities:
The GLI Resource Portal – A filterable, user-friendly, maintained and evolving online platform that helps FSPs, investors, and TA providers:
Identify relevant tools and resources tailored to their role and level of experience
Learn from real-world examples of GLI implementation
Access curated and annotated guidance materials
Connect to existing platforms, tools, resources and partners
A practical content stream – Blogs, interviews, and case studies that explore how organisations are applying GLI in practice: integrating gender data, adapting diagnostics, designing products, and navigating institutional change.
The GLI AG is now led by e-MFP’s Sam Mendelson (with support from Fernando Naranjo e-MFP. An active seven-member Advisory Committee has been recruited to supports the work.
For the development of the Portal, Sam, Fernando and the Committee are working with a consulting team comprises Dr. Katie Tavenner and Carlos Quiros (COO and CEO respectively of QLands), with additional support from Jenny Morgan during the mapping and engagement phase.
This work is underway, and there will be an early version of the portal shown at e-MFP’s annual conference in November. It is anticipated that the Portal will be finalised in Q2 2026.
We welcome ideas, feedback, and collaboration from across the sector. For more information, or to contribute a tool, case study, or resource, please contact:
Sam Mendelson, smendelson@e-mfp.eu
Fernando Naranjo, fnaranjo@e-mfp.eu
Resources:
Blog series
Renewing e-MFP’s Gender Lens Investing Action Group: Building a Shared Resource for the Sector, Sam Mendelson, 2 September 2025.
EMW2024 session: The Why and How of Gender Lens Investing (recording), November 2024
Webinar with FinEquity: Breaking Barriers: Harnessing Gender Lens Investments for Sustainable Impact and Inclusive Finance (recording and presentation), 15 May 2024
Breaking Barriers: Harnessing Gender Lens Investments for Sustainable Impact and Inclusive Finance, blog by Joana Silva Afonso and Gabriela Erice Garcia, 9 July 2024
Bridging the Gender Gap in Access to Finance for Women Entrepreneurs through Gender Lens Investing, guide developed by FinEquity, October 2024