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The unique strengths of women BCs positively influence low-income women’s engagement with financial services; despite that, aspiring women BCs face many barriers
In a remote Uttar Pradesh village, Roshni, a farm-hand, waits anxiously for the weekly visit of her Bank didi (word for ‘elder sister’ in India). She holds in her hand, ₹50 as savings and proudly says “Didi encouraged me to save even if only ₹10; initially, even that was so difficult. She was so patient and would explain the benefits. Even now, she answers all my questions, however small. She tells me about new schemes that are good for me. It is only because of her that now I have my ‘own’ money”. In this small village, the Bank ‘didi’ has become a ‘financial advisor’ and ‘relationship manager’ to many such Roshnis and is helping them in their journey towards true financial inclusion.