Events The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), and the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) in collaboration with SSCBS, University of Delhi, successfully hosted a workshop on “Her Freedom, Her Future: Financial & Digital Literacy for Women’s Economic Empowerment and a Prosperous Viksit Bharat” at Rohini, Delhi, on March 7, 2025. This event was organized to celebrate International Women’s Day and emphasize the role of financial and digital literacy in fostering women’s economic independence. It brought together leading policymakers, economists, legal experts, and financial literacy advocates to discuss strategies for enhancing financial inclusion and digital literacy among women in India.
Dr. Poonam Verma, Professor-Principal, SSCBS, University of Delhi, delivered the welcome address, underscored the importance of IEPFA and NCAER in promoting financial and digital literacy in fostering economic self-reliance among women.
The keynote speaker Ms. Anita Shah Akella, CEO, IEPFA and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India through her message, conveyed that investor education and protection is on the national agenda and highlighted IEPFA’s efforts in creating a more informed, protected, and empowered community of investors. She encouraged all to actively participate, engage with IEPFA initiatives and take this opportunity to enhance their understanding and promote advocacy of investor rights and education.
The workshop featured a compelling panel discussion on the theme “Her Freedom, Her Future: Financial & Digital Literacy for Women’s Economic Empowerment and a Prosperous Viksit Bharat.” The session was moderated by Dr. C.S. Mohapatra, IEPF Chair Professor, NCAER, who provided an insightful overview of the financial literacy landscape and the need for integrated efforts in digital and financial inclusion. Dr. Mohapatra stressed that financial literacy is a fundamental enabler of women’s empowerment, allowing them to participate more effectively in economic activities, access investment opportunities, and secure their financial future. He elaborated on the challenges women face in achieving financial independence, including gaps in digital access, legal awareness, and economic participation. Drawing from his extensive policy and reforms experience, Dr. Mohapatra advocated for tailored financial education programs, strategic policy interventions, and collaborative efforts between academia, government, and industry to bridge gender disparities in financial inclusion to take the nation towards Viksit Bharat.
Prominent speakers in the panel included policy experts, legal expert and academicians. Lt. Col. Aditya Sinha, GM, IEPFA, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, discussed the initiatives undertaken by IEPFA to promote financial literacy and safeguard investor interests across various demographic groups. Prof. Bornali Bhandari, Co-Director, Centre for Gender and Macroeconomy, NCAER, emphasized the importance of financial independence for women and its direct impact on economic growth and workforce participation. Prof. Gunjan Gupta, Law Expert & Professor, Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi, highlighting that women play a crucial role in nation building, elaborated on the legal aspects of financial empowerment, including consumer rights and protection in digital financial transactions, in our efforts for a Viksit Bharat. Dr. Arpita Mukherjee, Policy Expert & Professor, ICRIER, provided insights, with case studies on digital literacy and its intersection with financial empowerment, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. Ms. Aprajita Sharma, Assistant Editor, Mint & Financial Journalist spoke about the importance of financial awareness in personal wealth creation and investment planning. And highlighted how financial literacy plays a crucial role in bridging the knowledge gap for women investors and emphasized the vital role of digital media to safeguard from scams and frauds. Lastly, Dr. Ashish Desai, Associate Professor, Information Management and Analytics, S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai, through his presentation highlighted the role of data analytics and technology in bridging financial literacy gaps and improving access to financial services, specially for rural and SHG Women entrepreneurs.
The panelists engaged in an enriching discussion on the current challenges and opportunities in financial and digital literacy, with an emphasis on actionable solutions for women’s financial empowerment. An interactive Q&A session followed, allowing participants to engage with the experts and seek clarifications on financial planning, investment strategies, and the legal framework for financial security.
This workshop, on the eve of International Women’s Day, reinforced the collective commitment of IEPFA, NCAER, and SSCBS, University of Delhi towards fostering financial awareness and ensuring women’s economic empowerment. By leveraging synergies between academia, regulatory bodies, and industry experts, this initiative aimed to equip women with the knowledge and tools necessary to contribute to a prosperous Viksit Bharat.