The Philippines has made steady progress in closing the gender gap in financial access over the past decade, with the number of women holding formal financial accounts rising significantly.
But as financial services increasingly shift online, a digital divide remains. Recent data show that only 59 percent of Filipino women have used mobile money, compared with 71 percent of men, underscoring persistent gaps not only in access but also in financial tools tailored to women’s needs.
Financial technology company Tala says addressing this gap requires more than simply bringing services online. It also means making credit and digital financial tools accessible to women who often manage both household responsibilities and income generation.
Women account for about 62 percent of Tala’s user community in the Philippines. Many use the platform’s loans to support small businesses, manage household expenses or invest in opportunities that strengthen their financial stability.
In Cagayan de Oro, Ailyn turned to Tala when her husband’s sudden illness placed pressure on the family’s finances. At the time, she was studying to become a caregiver while managing their home. With a Tala loan, she started a small food stall to help cover medical bills and daily expenses, eventually expanding the venture into a sari-sari store.
“I used the loan wisely to keep the capital rolling,” Ailyn said. “Even if I’m a housewife taking care of my children, I still want to have my own income.” The small business now provides steadier earnings and has allowed her to begin saving for her children’s education.
For Mitch, a single mother, the journey began with using loans to cover everyday expenses and stay on top of bills. Over time, she focused on improving her credit standing while saving toward a long-term goal of buying a home for her family.
Her efforts eventually allowed her to secure additional funds to purchase a house. Mitch has since worked on improving the property herself, creating separate rooms for her children and cultivating a small garden. “Tala was the first thing that came to mind to help me reach my goal,” she said.
In Baseco, Manila, Berla took a similar path after facing difficulty finding stable employment. She used a Tala loan to establish a sari-sari store, purchasing groceries and other goods to build her inventory.
To supplement the business, Berla also transports goods across Manila Bay by boat. “I can’t just rely on the store alone as a single stream of income,” she said. For Tala, stories like this highlight how access to credit can help women build livelihoods and move toward greater financial stability.
