Laws, policies and regulations enable or constrain financial access, usage and control in Myanmar, with implications for women’s economic participation and empowerment. Gender responsive laws, policies and regulations create an ‘enabling environment’ and benefit the other key spheres of influence for women’s financial inclusion—namely the supply and demand for financial services—as well as the crosscutting sociocultural context. In this context, financial inclusion is a key enabler of women’s economic empowerment —a global development goal in itself and essential to achieving sustainable economic development and poverty alleviation.

Supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), UNCDF has assessed the constraints and enablers in terms of policy and regulations within the enabling environment in Myanmar. This discussion paper presents policy recommendations to address these constraints to women’s financial inclusion—namely policy and legal barriers. The target audience is Myanmar policymakers and international development agencies that provide technical assistance to various stakeholders within the country.