Launched in 2003, WAM (Women Advancing Microfinance) is the only global network of and for the advancement of individual women in the microfinance industry.
Mission
The mission of WAM International is to advance and support women working in microfinance and microenterprise development through education and training, by promoting leadership opportunities, and by increasing visibility of women's participation and talent while maintaining a work/life balance.
Four Core Values
1.To advance the provision of financial services to the poor;
2.To advance and support women's leadership in the microfinance industry through education and training, by promoting leadership opportunities, and by increasing visibility of women's participation and talent while maintaining a work/life balance;
3.To extend economic opportunities to women globally;
4.To continue to raise gender issues with a collective voice.
WAM advances its values by serving as a network for women in microfinance all over the world and as a platform for communication and collective action. WAM pursues this activity by supporting the establishment of chapters worldwide that share a commitment to WAM's values and mission statement. WAM has chapters in Washington, DC (established 2003), Uganda (2004), Central and Eastern Europe and the Newly Independent States (2004), Kenya (2005), New York (2005), Northern California (2006), Pacific Northwest (2007), Ecuador (2007), Chicago (2007), Atlanta (2008), the Middle East (2008), Canada (2008), India (2009), and the Netherlands (2009). Other chapters both within the US and internationally are in formation.
