Why do many women ‘choose’ silence when being abused verbally, physically, or mentally or why do some women ‘adjust’ in a similar situation? Before a person acts, no matter how instantaneous the act is, a person has numerous thoughts. Financially dependent women have thoughts like, if i speak back or try to stop the abuser, they will leave and if they do, women have noone to rely on to carry out day-to-day activities too. Hence, they resort to silence. I have heard, and observed many such instances which has made me realize the importance of financial literacy and I aspired to do anything I can in my power for those women.

As a homemaker, I have been the first hand witness at every turn of life where although I am considered more than equipped to run a household, raise children and take care of the family, my skills fall short when it comes to making financial decision for the family. Most women in Nepal haven’t even taken part in buying household appliances let alone be a breadwinner. I may have lived with these realities and accepted them as norm, this limitation should in no way define a modern woman. She must be empowered to make her own living, invest in ventures without being undermined and uninformed, start their own venture to provide for the family and take active role in making the financial decisions of herself and her family. It is thus, not only essential but long overdue to provide the modern woman with the tools and knowledge capable of making decisions to bring together all facets of household decisions including financial decisions. We, at Arthachyam, are taking an active role training women with the skills for entrepreneurship and empowerment through individual consultancy, financial literacy and policy advocacy through research and I am excited to take on a venture as such which will slowly but surely touch the lives of millions of women towards financial inclusion.