I think the the ultimate empowerment of women or even men is only through financial inclusion along with education. Even educantion is a strong instrument, but if someone is not financially independent, education alone can not empower him/her. Hence,Financial Inclusion Is essential for empowerment.

An interesting question indeed!

I observed that some of our friends here had already provide an intriguing response. Well, let me share my thought based on my own personal experience as a professional. I went to office everyday because I was paid to perform specific jobs (as per my job specifications). Without "financial inclusion" or if I was not paid for, I will never have any obligation to obey (to any empowerment directives or protocols).

In other words, you can empower everybody, whether male or female, by employing money (so-called "financial inclusion") as a tool to influence them to do something. Thanks.

I wish to add on a bit. There were two main factors or variables here. In this context, I would say "financial inclusion" is an independent variable and the "empowerment" is dependent variable. So, if that is the situation, you will find that empowerment is very much dependent on or influenced by the financial aspect. If there is no financial inputs, the hypothesis is that, empowerment will fail. I may agree with Dr Abdul Awal: Financial inclusion is essential for empowerment. Thanks.

Thanks Rosmalily Salleh for your reply. Thanks again

Excellent contribution from Rosmalily Salleh , with respect to methodical argumentation. Dr Abdul Awal had already formulated the parameters of empowerment. Congrats to both and the author Sayed Mohammad Tariq Zafar of this important query.

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https://www.opengrowth.com/resources/7-ways-to-empower-women-globally

https://www.cgap.org/blog/women-and-finance-enabling-womens-economic-empowerment

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/09/4-ways-address-gender-finance-gap-empower-women/

Thank you, Stephen, Dr Abdul Awal and Sayed. I think financial input is a strong enabling factor or dependent variable for many things. Without monetary support or financial sponsorship, many studies or research works need to be phased-off. Probably, someone like to conduct basic research on the relationship of money towards research works. Thank you.

Indubitably, gender equality can be maintained and supported if all relevant factors are taken into account. Certainly, an effective Women's Empowerment (WE) program can acclimate women into the community. Therefore, empowering women through financial inclusion is a magic bullet which can benefit the national economy in an unprecedented manner.

Most interesting post and inputs provided. Indeed empowerment is one of the fundamental elements of gender equality and parity. Finance, as is well known, is empowering, but alone may not be enough. Income is a critical element for women, for example, but it needs to be fully appropriated to women, where they have decision making power over it and can freely decide on it, in terms of spending, for example. Inclusion alone, in financial terms alone, may not be enough though, as other elements may be needed, for example as provided Dr. Abdul Awal education is also important. If i may add also economic, social, cultural, political, natural environmental and climate aspects also need to be considered. However there may also be a need to reconsider at the basis the concept of financial inclusion, in particular the concept of women financial inclusion as well as empowerment. For example taking into consideration the various interpretations of women financial inclusion that are found globally at grass root level, including the various interpretations of women empowerment and what this means in reality at field level. For example monetizing financial inclusion is important, but is not only the only way to provide empowerment as other values can come into play, for example, such as time, care, networks, etc.

Increasing women's access to financial services is of great interest because of the potential it has to boost women's economic independence and stability.

I think that closing the gender gap and empowering women is possible through financial inclusion. Improved economic possibilities and security can result from women's increased financial independence and decision-making power, both of which can be fostered by access to financial goods and services. However, cultural and societal barriers and a lack of education and awareness must be addressed. In order to find viable solutions and guide policymaking, further research is required. Financial inclusion holds promise, but further exploration is important for a more equitable world.

During year 2001, I travelled many places in South Indian States like A. P. and Karnatka in India to understand the effectiveness of self Help groups run by group of women's where they have opened accounts in banks and keep depositing there additional earnings to this account which can be further used for their emergency personal needs or growth in business. This kind of activities/ projects are supported and guided by state governments where they support in training part and opening of bank accounts for these self Help Group of women's in those villages. While, I studied their background and learning level, I have noticed that there was tremendous improvements in their confidence level and attitude towards Team / Group work and efforts and finally managing funds. After association in groups and financial inclusion, these women were certainly feeling more empowered as they can take their free / independent decisions to fulfil their own needs as well as the other family requirements. This is called freedom to a women which is only possible once they are financially strong. I sensed that these women were leading a more Joyful and meaningful life after this financial inclusion as money in their hands has given them power to decide.

There is no gender based financial inclusion, so whoever in the economy all will cover, moreover empowerment of women is applicable only if they comes under SMEs criteria, So alreday many micro finance firms helping more SHGs to empower the women.

If women are carrying out business or academic work, they are probably carrying this out in connection of being employed, in which case, they should be paid.

They are putting in time, and time is money, after all.

But I used to work outside the hours that I was paid for, and would work 'for free' in order to manage all my obligations. Until I retired, I was a nurse practitioner for bladder and bowel health (on the community, but had hospital clinics on certain days).

When I did my PhD, I had a Research Training Fellowship but when I did a 5 and a 10 year follow-up to my project (Living with Faecal Incontinence) I did it because I felt that the subject needed to be looked at on a longer term basis and was just very interested to see how my participants had changed in their views and management of their condition over time.