Title: The trilogy of micro-finance, FinTech and women-empowerment: an empirical investigation based in rural Himalayas

Authors: Insha Ahad Wani; Megha Agarwal

Addresses: Department of Commerce, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi, India ' Rajdhani College, University of Delhi, India

Abstract: The potential synergy of digital finance and development finance is contentious as literature hops between the two extremities on the FinTech axis. While there seems to be an immense scope of FinTech in micro-finance in providing time, cost and space utility services, the in(capability) of users who mainly comprise poor and marginalised, to go digital, questions the scope of FinTech in micro-finance. This paper is a modest attempt to present the reciprocal vision of how micro-finance has the ability to enhance digital adaptability among its clients and how digital finance can reinforce the empowerment of women beneficiaries through micro-finance. Using sample size of 1,210 self-help group women and conducting t-test, ANOVA and chi-square test, this study intends to define the virtuous circular relationship between micro-finance, FinTech and empowerment. The results reflect a positive and reinforcing trilogy between the three variables.

Keywords: financial technology; FinTech; micro-finance; digital finance; women-empowerment; COVID-19.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEF.2023.131759

International Journal of Electronic Finance, 2023 Vol.12 No.3, pp.215 - 237

Received: 14 Jun 2022
Accepted: 13 Sep 2022
Published online: 30 Jun 2023 *

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