In 2017, #MeToo became the shorthand for a long-overdue reckoning with sexual assault and harassment. Next year, #MeToo could very well be a trending hashtag for investors, fund managers and advisors moving billions into women-led and women-focused ventures, funds and investment products.

That capital could help make possible the realization of Sustainable Development Goal № 5: "Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls." ImpactAlpha has been is tracking the global shift.

  • The International Finance Corp. raised $500 million from more than 40 institutional investors for its first social bond backing women-led companies and low-income communities.
  • The Impact Investment Exchange (IIX) listed its Women’s Livelihood Bond on Singapore Stock Exchange. The bond raised $8 million to help 385,000 women in Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines build sustainable livelihoods.
  • The UBS Optimus Foundation is leading a $3.5 million development impact bond in Rajasthan, India, to reduce maternal and infant mortality. The “Utkrisht” bond hopes to prevent 10,000 deaths over the next five years.
  • Another UBS-backed development impact bond in India began delivering positive results in girls’ education. The Educate Girls bond, now in its second year, has achieved 87.7% of its enrollment target and 50.3% of its learning target for its three-year term.

Read the full list of investments and tools mobilizing capital for women and girls by David Bank at ImpactAlpha.