Year: 2025 | Month: November | Volume: 12 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 288-296
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20251131
Financial Empowerment of Women in Rural and Urban Areas of Karnataka - A Socio-Economic Analysis
Shruthi S1, Supriya R2
1Research Scholar, 2Professor
Department of studies in Commerce, Davangere University, Davangere
Corresponding Author: Shruthi S
ABSTRACT
Women's empowerment plays a crucial role in the social and economic growth of any country. Women’s financial empowerment is central to achieving gender equality and sustainable development. In India, persistent gender disparities highlight the need to advance financial independence and economic security among women. The present study attempts to identify the link between women’s socio-demographic characteristics and financial empowerment in Karnataka, based on the NFHS-5 dataset. Bivariate analyses were conducted for a clear illustration of the outcomes. The study found that 46 percent of the women can make decisions on at least three out of the four financial matters considered here (such as having money to decide on how to spend, having an own bank account, doing digital transactions, and having access to a financial system that supports expanding a business). Financial empowerment was higher in urban areas (55.9%) compared to rural areas (39.5%). Women’s education, occupation, caste, religion, and wealth index showed a significant association with financial empowerment. The study recommends that, along with other government initiatives, there should be a strong focus on financial empowerment, particularly women’s ability to make independent decisions and participate actively in the economy.
Keywords: Financial empowerment, Socio-economic, Rural & Urban, NFHS-5, Karnataka
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