Too often, discussions about gender equality and women’s economic empowerment focus on only one side of the equation. The conversation centres on the barriers women face; success measured solely by women’s achievements. But what if we shifted our perspective? What if we saw women’s economic participation as a catalyst for broader progress? What if we recognised that breaking down stereotypes that limit women also leads to freedom and success for men, families, and entire communities?
My understanding of gender equality was shaped by my upbringing. I grew up in Sydney with a Cambodian mother and an Indonesian-Chinese father, both strong role models who defied traditional gender roles. My mother arrived in Australia as a teenager on one of the last planes out of Phnom Penh before the Khmer Rouge takeover. She didn’t speak much English and cleaned homes to survive, but eventually put herself through university and became a lawyer. My father worked and shared household responsibilities equally. It wasn’t until I visited friends’ homes that I realised not all dads did the laundry.
In my professional life, I’ve met incredible women entrepreneurs: aquaculture farmers in Cambodia, organic soap makers in Fiji, fintech developers in Indonesia. When women thrive financially, so do their families, communities, and economies. And the men in their lives benefit too—taking on new family roles, sharing financial decision-making, and broadening their own opportunities. When women break free from limiting gender roles, men do too.
Financial barriers and the power of access
That’s why Good Return creates opportunities for women entrepreneurs across the Asia-Pacific. We see the potential when women succeed in business, and the barriers in their way. These include a lack of collateral for loans, identification to open accounts, or literacy to navigate the financial system. Women-led businesses are often excluded from mainstream finance. Nearly one billion women around the world still lack access to financial services.
I recently met Voucheang Loa, a Cambodian farmer who’d been growing and selling tomatoes and cabbages for years. As the hot season grew longer, her crops suffered. Through a loan from Wing Bank, made possible by Good Return’s Impact Investment Fund, she built a greenhouse to protect her seedlings. She and her husband had always dreamed of expanding the farm to fund their children’s education. She also wanted to share what she learned about climate resilience and show that women can lead thriving businesses.
Balancing the system
For women to flourish, the financial sector itself must evolve. It’s not just about more women in leadership, although that’s important, it’s about reshaping how institutions view gender roles and client needs.
In conversations with finance staff across Asia, I’ve asked, “If a man wanted to work in HR or marketing, would that be accepted?” Often there’s hesitation, a sense that men pursuing ‘female’ roles would disrupt the norm. But this kind of thinking limits opportunity for everyone.
That’s why Good Return’s Impact Investment Fund includes a technical assistance facility. It trains financial institutions in gender-inclusive practices, looking at hiring, harassment policies, workplace culture, and product design. We help institutions build champions for gender equality and create policies that meet the needs of all clients, not just those who fit a traditional profile. When both men and women lead change within institutions, systems begin to shift.
Helping investors broaden their impact
Women’s inclusion also reshapes how investors measure success. It prompts them to think beyond profit, to consider values like sustainability and community impact. These new measures allow investors to leave behind stronger outcomes for families, communities, and the planet.
Take Nisrat Nazeen in Fiji. She’s ready to grow her organic soap business beyond her hometown. But success for her is not just about expansion, it’s about having time for her son and protecting the land by using sustainable ingredients. Another example, Kathleen Cox, who is an Indigenous entrepreneur running an eco-retreat in the remote Kimberley region. Her goal isn’t growth for growth’s sake, but to maintain a light ecological footprint and create better experiences for her guests.
When we speak to investors about Good Return’s Impact Investment Fund, they’re excited by the chance to make a difference while earning a return.
Gender equality in business and finance doesn’t only remove barriers for women, it benefits entire communities. By shifting our lens and seeing gender equity as a shared opportunity, we create a more inclusive economy. The next step isn’t only to support women, it’s to transform the systems around them.
