In the not-so-distant past, husbands entrusted their hard-earned money to their wives for household expenses and safekeeping. The ‘housewives’ back then handled these responsibilities in a remarkable manner. Not only did they manage to fulfill the essential needs, but they also saved bit by bit for unforeseen emergencies!
Fast forward to the present, we have witnessed women become both ‘homemakers’ and careermakers. However, despite the commendable progress, the financial independence of women is still quite far from where it ideally should be. Some women are still financially dependent on their husbands, brothers, or their sons. There is much work still to be done to bridge this gap.
As we have historically witnessed, women make exceptional fund managers. They tend to both their homes and finances with great care and responsibility. In this article, we will explore the importance of financial independence in women’s life and why it is not only essential but also a progressive step towards a more equitable future.
breaking gender stereotypes: the need for women's financial empowerment
The battle to break free from the conventional gender roles is tough, but we’re on the way. Although women have bravely started to stand tall and stopped expecting financial rescue from their male counterparts, they still face challenges achieving financial independence.
The expectations that society has with women limits them. A major gender stereotype is confining women to certain roles like caregivers, cooks, or teachers. They get fewer opportunities and it affects their financial independence.
Women should be financially independent and be able to achieve financial stability as well. If women are compensated fairly, they can plan for their financial stability and secure a better future for themselves and their families.
Empowering women with financial independence is about breaking free from traditional gender roles, not about competing and being against men. This is the only way to progress towards a society where both men and women thrive.
economic security and peace of mind
Female financial independence can give women peace of mind and confidence to get through the challenges that life may throw at them. Economic security refers to having financial stability to support the standard of living and if a woman’s financial plan is in order, she has the power to deal with the world head on!
Having economic security would enable women to make choices according to their aspirations rather than financial constraints. Not only will they be able to take risks and invest for a better future, but also grow in the careers of their dreams.
Financial independence would help them in times of crisis. Whether it’s a sudden medical emergency, a job loss, or family emergency, having financial stability would allow women to tackle these challenges with resilience and grace. With a well-thought-out financial planning strategy, women can navigate life’s uncertainties with confidence and emerge stronger on the other side.
career advancement and equal opportunities
In workplaces, gender pay disparity hinders women’s financial growth. Some women earn less than their male colleagues for similar work. This disparity can tie women’s hands to invest for their future needs and accumulate wealth. These challenges become particularly evident in retirement planning and achieving long-term financial goals.
Female financial independence would not only help women meet their investment needs but also allow them to climb the corporate ladder. They will be able to invest in their skills and advance in their careers, apply for better job roles and demand equal pay.
If we give opportunities to women as men, not only enrich the economy of the country but also enhance the overall performance of businesses. By ensuring equal opportunities, we can build a more inclusive and prosperous world for everyone.
long-term financial planning and retirement
Having a long-term financial plan would liberate women from the need to depend on anyone for financial assistance. More often than not, women are left in a vulnerable financial situation post retirement. As we discussed above, gender pay disparity can have a very negative impact on a woman’s golden years. For that reason, every woman should be financially independent. They should be able to enjoy a happy and carefree life after years of hard work and dedication, both at home and in the workplace.
Also, being able to invest in long term funds helps generate wealth for the future. And with that, comes financial security. Having long term funds would allow women to plan a secure future for themselves and their loved ones. Other than that, having financial security after retirement would allow women to explore and invest their passions!
empowering the next generation of women
Have you ever heard the quote by Maya Angelou, “Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.”?
Inspired by these words, financially independent women of today are a beacon of inspiration for the future generations of women to come. Imagine a world where each and every woman is financially independent and they live in harmony with financially independent men. It’s a utopian society where financial independence of women is not just a dream.
We can empower the next generation of women by teaching them about finances at an early age. We can teach our daughters about managing money, the power of savings, being confident about investing and watch them work towards their dreams!
Also Read: Why do We Need Financial Planning?
conclusion
Financial independence is one of the top most priorities of women today, but it’s still a long way from the ideal situation. It is the collective responsibility of the society to help break free from the conventional gender roles and support women to be financially independent. We can promote financial literacy, practice gender equality at work, and inspire young women to invest in their dreams!
So it’s time to join hands and invest in empowering women! Together we can make the world bold, bright, and independent. Every step we take in this direction will bring us closer to a future where financial independence is not just an exception but a norm for all women.
