How finance can help unlock the full potential of women's talent

In a recent episode of our podcast Inside Impact Investing, host Rosl Veltmeijer spoke with Marijn Wiersma, Managing Director of 2X Global, and Maritza Cabezas, Economist at Triodos Bank, about the state of gender equality in finance and how targeted investment can drive change.

The sobering reality of gender parity

The numbers speak for themselves, says Marijn Wiersma. At the current pace, closing the global gender gap will take another 123 to 150 years. Even as girls now outperform boys in education, their economic prospects tell a different story. Upon entering the workforce – and particularly after becoming mothers – women’s incomes decline, while men’s rise after fatherhood. More than just a personal setback, this is a systemic failure.

As Maritza Cabezas points out, social norms and gender roles remain the biggest barriers. But there is hope. In fast-growing economies like India, where female labour participation has historically been low, social media and shifting cultural attitudes are beginning to break down these barriers. Once women gain access to opportunities, the economic benefits are undeniable.

Investing in women makes economic sense

If the world’s total talent pool is comprised of both men and women, why would we only invest in half of it? That’s the simple yet powerful question at the heart of gender-lens investing, a strategy that directs capital toward businesses and initiatives that advance gender equality while also improving financial returns.

2X Global, of which Triodos Investment Management is a proud member, has become a leading voice in this space. The 2X Criteria provide a clear framework for assessing investments based on women’s leadership, employment, entrepreneurship and access to products and services. To date, the 2X Challenge, a global initiative to mobilise capital for women, has channeled USD 34 billion into gender-smart investments, far exceeding its initial USD 3 billion target.

For Triodos Investment Management, this approach is part of our mission to integrate gender considerations throughout our investment process, from due diligence to engagement with companies. Whether it’s advocating for family-friendly workplace policies or ensuring women have equal access to finance in emerging markets, the goal is to create lasting change.

Capital and culture

The challenge now is to move from billions to trillions. Pension funds, asset managers and institutional investors hold vast sums of capital, but these are too often deployed without considering gender equity. However, momentum is building. Early adopters, including pension funds in Australia and South Africa, are leading the way by proving that gender-lens investing, apart from delivering social impact, aligns with their fiduciary duty.

In addition to capital, systemic change also requires a cultural shift. As Marijn Wiersma puts it, we must pair optimism with outrage – optimism for the progress being made, outrage that gender disparities persist in 2026.

Tailored approach

Given the huge socioeconomic and cultural differences worldwide, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to narrow the gender gap. In developed markets, the focus may be on retaining women in leadership roles and ensuring workplace policies support working mothers. In emerging economies, education and breaking social norms to bring more women into the workforce are often the priority.

At Triodos Investment Management, we therefore adapt our approach to local needs. Whether through engagement with listed companies on parental leave policies or financing women-led enterprises in low-income countries, any progress must be context-specific. The 2X Criteria offer the flexibility needed, allowing investors to focus on the most relevant indicators for their portfolio.

AI, urgency and collective action

Looking ahead, technology could accelerate progress if used wisely. Artificial intelligence has the potential to identify gender gaps in data, streamline investment decisions and reduce bias. But if, as Maritza Cabezas rightfully warns, women are not involved in shaping the AI architecture, we risk reinforcing existing inequalities.

Meanwhile the clock is ticking. At the current pace, none of us will live to see gender parity. Twenty years is the ambitious, yet necessary timeline Marijn Wiersma proposes. To get there, we need all financial institutions to step up. If not for the sake of doing good, then at least to unlock the world’s full potential of talent. After all, studies show that companies with diverse leadership are more innovative and profitable.

Investing in women therefore is a strategic and economically smart choice. For investors interested in gender lens investing, the 2X Criteria provide a practical way to assess and improve gender equity in their portfolio. Gender equality is a matter of urgency – we cannot and should not wait another century to close the gap.