Bridging the Gender Gap: Women Banking Agents as Catalysts of Rural Financial Inclusion
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31674/ijmhs.2026.v10i01.003Abstract
Background: Financial inclusion of women is widely recognized as a sine qua non for their social and economic empowerment. The initiative and impetus provided by the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana has played a transformative role by bringing 29 crore women into the ambit of formal financial systems. However, despite this progress, many of these accounts remain dormant, underscoring the necessity for efficient facilitation. Objectives: This article examines the role of women business correspondents in deepening financial inclusion and identifies the major determinants that significantly influence financial inclusion and its impact on the usage of banking services among women customers. Methods: The primary data for this study were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to women beneficiaries availing services from banking agents operating in selected districts of West Bengal. The data collected was analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using standard statistical software. Results: The empirical findings demonstrate that factors like financial literacy, trust, word of mouth, and accessibility positively influence financial inclusion and their usage of banking services. Conclusion: The findings highlight the critical role of women banking agents in bridging last-mile gaps and connecting rural women with formal financial services and inducing the use of these systems for their thrift and credit requirements.
Keywords:
Financial Inclusion, Rural Economy, Rural Finance, Women Banking AgentDownloads
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