Welcome to our SDG series: SDG 5 – Gender Equality

This week we highlight Mastercard; A global financial services company that provides payment technology and solutions, is actively contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) by championing gender equality and empowering women and girls worldwide.

Through various initiatives and partnerships, Mastercard is working to bridge gender gaps and create opportunities for women in the financial sector. They are supporting women entrepreneurs with access to capital, tools, and networks, fostering economic independence and financial inclusion.

Therefore, MasterCard recently started the ‘’Give Me 5 initiative’’ to support SDG 5. They are collaborating with governments like Nigeria and Egypt to connect identity solutions with payments, making it easier for people to access financial services. In Nigeria, their partnership with UN Women will provide electronic payment-enabled ID cards to half a million women, promoting gender equality and economic empowerment.

Additionally, they are using a product called ‘’2Kuze’’ to digitalize the agriculture supply chain in Nairobi, helping women farmers who often cannot leave their farms due to household responsibilities and are sometimes taken advantage of by middlemen.

Finally, Mastercard also prioritises diversity and inclusion within their own organisation, ensuring women have a strong voice at the decision-making table. By supporting women’s economic advancement, Mastercard is not just fulfilling SDG 5 but also by helping women succeed economically, Mastercard is making the world more prosperous for woman around the globe.

Stay tuned for next week where we reveal the next company that contributes to SDG 6 about Clean Water & Sanitation.