The white paper ‘Ushering into the New Era of Financial Inclusion: Enabling Women and Women-Led Organisations‘, authored by Ms. Monica Jasuja (Chief Expansion and Innovation Officer, Emerging Payments Association Asia), Soham Jagtap and Ayush Tripathi of Digital Economy vertical of The Dialogue, explores the transformative potential of gender-responsive financial policies in empowering women and women-led organisations. Despite India’s remarkable progress in digital payments and financial services, a significant portion of women—especially from rural and underserved areas—remain excluded from the formal financial ecosystem. This white paper highlights the socio-economic barriers women face, from limited access to financing and technology to deeply entrenched biases that hinder their entrepreneurial aspirations.
Building on extensive research and real-world examples, the authors outline the pivotal role of women entrepreneurship in driving inclusive economic growth and reducing the gender gap. The paper identifies innovative strategies such as leveraging community-led initiatives, redefining success metrics for women-led businesses, and enhancing access to tailored financial products. It also examines how tools like gender-disaggregated data and digital literacy programs can address systemic challenges and unlock new opportunities for women entrepreneurs across India, particularly in emerging Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
How can policymakers and financial institutions reimagine success for women-led businesses? What steps are needed to bridge the trust gap in digital financial services? This white paper provides actionable recommendations to drive meaningful change and advance financial inclusion for women. Download the full white paper to discover insights, strategies, and a roadmap to creating a truly inclusive and equitable financial ecosystem.
