Role Of Woman Financial Inclusion In Bridging The Gender Gap And Its Effect On Woman Empowerment In Pakistan

Abstract

Financial inclusion provides access to all individual for financial products e.g. bank accounts, mobile banking, credit and other financial services. Researchers suggest that an inclusive financial system provide economic strength. Men and women should be equal pillars of society but situation of gender gap in Pakistan is worsening. Data from world economic forum’s global gender gap report 2024 shows that amongst 146 countries unfortunately Pakistan stands at 145th rank in terms of woman participation in economic activities. An effort has been made through the current research paper to find the role of financial inclusion in economic empowerment of woman in Pakistan. Financial inclusion plays an important role to reduce gender gap and it enhances woman economic empowerment. Secondary data (publication of SBP, research journal, newspapers and books) is used for this research. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyses the data. The research study identifies that financial inclusion of woman is quite challenging in our circumstances. Key barriers for their financial inclusions are lack of financial literacy, limited access to financial services, mobile ownership, access to internet and social & cultural constraints. Frosting financial inclusion is not only matter of gender equality but also an economic need of Pakistan.