Title: The role of financial inclusion in driving women empowerment: a study of ghettos

Authors: Shivangi Bhatia; Seema Singh

Addresses: Department of Humanities, Delhi Technological University, 110035, India ' Department of Humanities, Delhi Technological University, 110035, India

Abstract: The current paper investigates if financial inclusion schemes enhance women empowerment i.e., social, political and economic dimensions in urban slums of Patna. The data was collected from 275 females in urban ghettos who have opened their accounts under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY). The survey was undertaken from January to July 2018 and the results were tested through factor analysis and ANOVA. The empirical examinations support the causal relationship between empowerment dimensions and levels of financial inclusion. In addition, the study evidences that low income and conservative family environment are one of the biggest problems to financial inclusion. Current study is one of the few initial attempts that contribute towards the long existing debate of women empowerment and studies the impact of recently launched financial inclusion schemes by Government of India.

Keywords: financial inclusion; women in slums; Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana; PMJDY; Atal Pension Yojana; APY; Pradhan Mantri Jivan Jyoti Bima Yojana; PMJJBY; Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana; PMSBY.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPSPM.2023.130257

International Journal of Public Sector Performance Management, 2023 Vol.11 No.3, pp.265 - 284

Received: 27 Dec 2019
Accepted: 24 May 2020
Published online: 14 Apr 2023 *

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