Class 12 Student Leads Initiative to Educate Rural Women in Financial Literacy

Financial literacy, the ability to understand and effectively manage money, remains a challenge in India, especially for rural women. A recent study by SEBI revealed that only 27% of India’s population is financially literate, with rural women being underrepresented due to cultural and societal barriers that limit their participation in financial decisions.

To address this gap, Vidhi Miglani, a Class 12 student from DPS Kaithal, Haryana, has launched DhanSarthi, a digital platform aimed at empowering rural women with financial knowledge. Speaking about her initiative, Miglani said, “Through DhanSarthi, we have made a real impact on the ground. So far, we have helped over 5,000 women across four states gain financial knowledge and access banking services.”

The platform has conducted 175 awareness drives, partnered with banks, and helped women open bank accounts, enroll in government schemes like Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, and form microfinance groups. Additionally, DhanSarthi has developed a peer-education model, creating a network of 200 community leaders who continue to promote financial education.

Miglani acknowledged the challenges of overcoming cultural and social barriers, which initially deterred women from participating in workshops. “Many women were hesitant to discuss finances. Another challenge was the language barrier and the lack of trust in the banking system due to bad experiences with incomplete documentation for government schemes,” she said.

By building trust and offering practical solutions, DhanSarthi has successfully addressed these issues. Miglani hopes to expand the initiative nationwide, stating, “Educating a woman creates a ripple effect, as each empowered woman goes on to empower others.”