In segments of society where women earn less than men, combined with the fact that they may live longer, it is crucial to have financial acumen in order to increase the financial independence of women. This trend also magnifies the need to plan for retirement especially in an era of rising medical costs. Ladies and Gentlemen, Enabling environment for financial literacy The promotion of greater awareness and understanding in financial issues in a dynamic and constantly changing environment has to be a continuous process. The effort needs to focus not only on providing education programmes but also on putting in place the supporting infrastructure to enhance the access to financial services, to ensure an environment of financial transparency and disclosure as well as adequate consumer protection. Enhanced financial literacy is about bringing people into the financial mainstream so that they are able to make well informed decisions regarding their earnings, spending, savings and investments. The effort thus has to encompass a comprehensive set of strategies including the education process reinforced by the supporting infrastructure. The goal of any financial education programme is to increase awareness of the value of effective financial management, to show how it can contribute to financial security and improvement in the economic well-being. The most effective of programmes have been those that are targeted to specific groups. Fundamental education for greater financial literacy that will have most sustainable impact are those through the school system. Such educational programmes would provide the education to women from an early age.
There are millions of women in Asia involved in a wide range of economic activities from the home, making handicraft, assembling parts for international brand names and working in the fields. They work for a small income, and generally in difficult circumstances. Deliberate actions to integrate the informal economy into the formal economy will give this segment of society increased opportunities. In many countries, the success of various national and international socio-economic reform programs have resulted in women becoming an increasing part of the formal economy. Through the concerted efforts of women’s rights movements, economic policy intervention and gradual shifts in cultural norms, women today have more opportunities for education, careers and political representation. However, in many instances the increase in participation in the formal economy has not come with a commensurate level of sophistication in financial literacy. As a result, women continue to face special challenges in their endeavour to be active participants in the economic system. Challenges women in Asia face in financial literacy Let me now turn to discuss some of the challenges faced by women in Asia in their endeavour to become more financially literate and financially independent. Firstly, with the socio-economic environment in Asia changing rapidly, there is greater uncertainty and volatility which represents a challenge even for financial experts. The financial system has also become more complex, with new risks emerging. This increased sophistication thus makes it increasingly difficult for those who are less financially literate to make sound decisions.