In our quest for financial inclusion, the words we choose wield immense power, shaping perceptions, attitudes, and actions.
Often, I come across the term “poor people” in the context of financial inclusion, as the targeted beneficiaries of various programs and initiatives. However, every time I read that phrase, I cringe.
The term "poor people" reduces individuals to a single aspect of their complex circumstances, i.e., their economic status, and overlooks their strengths, aspirations, potential for change, and more importantly, what can we learn from them.
Through my research across several countries, engaging directly with people from low-income background, I've been profoundly moved. These interactions revealed not just resilience in the face of hardship but also a generosity of spirit and a commitment to community betterment.
Sample some of these inspirational, real-life quotes from women entrepreneurs in Rwanda from a recent customer research study I ran there.
Often, I come across the term “poor people” in the context of financial inclusion, as the targeted beneficiaries of various programs and initiatives. However, every time I read that phrase, I cringe.
The term "poor people" reduces individuals to a single aspect of their complex circumstances, i.e., their economic status, and overlooks their strengths, aspirations, potential for change, and more importantly, what can we learn from them.
Through my research across several countries, engaging directly with people from low-income background, I've been profoundly moved. These interactions revealed not just resilience in the face of hardship but also a generosity of spirit and a commitment to community betterment.
Sample some of these inspirational, real-life quotes from women entrepreneurs in Rwanda from a recent customer research study I ran there.
“๐ผ
๐ค๐๐๐ก ๐ก๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ก๐๐ ๐ข๐…
๐ผ ๐๐๐๐’๐ก โ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐โ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐ ๐โ๐๐๐,
๐๐ข๐ก ๐ผ ๐ค๐๐๐ก ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ก ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ฆ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐
๐โ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐โ โ๐๐โ๐๐ ๐ก
๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ก๐๐๐.”
“๐ผ ๐ค๐๐๐ก ๐ก๐
๐๐๐๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ค ๐๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐… ๐ผ
๐๐ ๐ ๐ค๐๐๐๐ค ๐๐๐กโ๐๐, ๐ผ ๐ค๐๐๐ก ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐โ๐ก โ๐๐๐
๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐ ๐ โ๐๐๐.”
“๐ผ ๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐๐ ๐ผ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐ก๐๐๐โ๐๐๐ …๐ผ ๐ค๐๐๐ก ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ก๐ฆ.”
“๐ผ ๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐๐ ๐ผ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐ก๐๐๐โ๐๐๐ …๐ผ ๐ค๐๐๐ก ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ก๐ฆ.”
These women are self-taught, self-motivated, and are in many cases helping other, newer entrepreneurs chart their journeys by providing advice and support.
Their stories, their questions about the real impact of financial inclusion on women, reminded me of the nuanced dialogue we must engage in. It’s also a reminder that the labels we use can either constrain or liberate.
Words have the power to uplift, motivate, and bring about real change. Instead of labeling individuals as "poor," I urge organizations in the financial inclusion space to embrace empowering language that respects their dignity and emphasizes their potential. Terms like "resilient" or "underserved communities" acknowledge the temporary and changeable nature of their situations.
Let's commit to language that uplifts and empowers, transforming our approach to financial inclusion from the ground up. What terms do you think can foster a more inclusive and respectful dialogue in our quest for financial inclusion?