ID Summit: Microinsurance can empower women
May 16, 2012
The rise and growth of microinsurance in developing parts of the world can play a central role in the empowerment of women, according to Mark Byrne, founder and chairman of investment vehicle Haverford. Upwards of 80% of all microinsurance products have so far been distributed in favour of the male population in the developing world, but Mark Byrne, founder and chairman of investment vehicle Haverford, said developing and promoting products specifically tailored for women could play a prominent part in strengthening the role of women in some of these societies. “There’s an enormous opportunity to make a contribution to the empowerment of women in the developing world,” Byrne said. “Most of the product that has happened already has been pretty male-centric.” Microinsurance is one of the ultimate examples of high-volume/low-premium insurance coverage around and is typically offered in developing economies where the...