Do our women really financially independent??

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1 hour ago

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When we call a woman is financially independent that means she earns her own money and takes her own financial decisions without relying on a husband, father, or other relatives.

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This is what we know and also google say about the term financial freedom but does it really happen?

I want to share my own experience.

As I work in the banking sector, I have to promote government schemes like APY (Atal Pension Scheme), PMSBY (PM Suraksha Beeman Yojana), etc.

I promoted the APY scheme at a school. There, I explained how people between the ages of 18 to 40 can apply for it and how the premium amount varies depending on their age. They have to contribute until they reach 60. After 60, they receive a pension based on their premium.

If they have issues and need money urgently, they can break it and the government will return their money with interest.

Frankly I haven't seen a safer, simpler pension scheme and If you're aware of it and can earn, you can enroll for as little as 42 rupees.

Some enrolled and some did not, which is completely normal.

I was about to promote and leave when a lady came there and said, Madam, please cancel the form I have filled, my husband is insisting, We will discuss at home and let you know.

Wait wait wait what?????
I found it very strange what is this!!

You are doing the job, you are earning the money, then you will take the decisions about your money yourself, right? Not anyone else, even if it is your spouse.

She said no madam, i have to consult at home...

I looked at her and smiled and cancelled her form in front of her and thought "this is our self independent women" who cannot take their own financial decisions, they have to take permission from their home first.

When I thought about it further, I realized that this is exactly what happens in our society... Just look around us, in our families women do things after asking for permission.

But guidance and permission are two very different things. We need to understand the difference between them...

Although this doesn't happen in foreign countries, but in some countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Nigeria, this type of dominance is visible.

Why does this still happens- even among educated earning women?

Zero confidence-

We can't manage our finances, even though the housewife takes care of the entire household.

But when it comes to investing in anything other than household items, we have to get their permissions.

Not only this, if a married woman helps her side of family, she has to ask for that too, or help secretly.

financial illiteracy

We still prefer FDs because they seem safe and secure, which is certainly true.

However, when it comes to FD returns, they are also lower. The market is risky, but if we do analysis and understand things, they can give us higher returns

But women are afraid of getting involved in all these things.

societal and cultural norms:

We do what we have seen our parents do, so by default we are doing the same thing without thinking or realizing that this is wrong.

Women choose ignorance

When a married couple comes to the bank to take a loan, it is the husband who pays attention to everything and makes all the inquiries.

The woman is only waiting to sign. I find it strange that she is not gaining knowledge when the loan has to be repaid by both of them.

So whats the Solutions??

Create a boundary

We must set a boundary regarding our finances and our decisions.
This is our earnings, I will make the decisions. If I have to help my family then I will do it. Women should speak her mind clearly like this without any fear.

Gaining financial knowledge

It is important to learn about finances so that you understand the importance of your own money.

We must know where to invest and where not to invest.

We should make a proper budget plan so that if we take some decision or make a decision regarding our money then we do not need to take approvals with others.

Final thought

Financial independence is not just about earning money, but also about owning your financial decisions.