International Research Journal of Education and Technology

Financial literacy is a critical component of economic empowerment, particularly for women. Despite Kerala’s high human development indicators, the financial awareness and independence of women in semi-urban and rural areas remain underexplored. This study examines the financial knowledge, behaviour, and decision-making capabilities of women in Palakkad District. Using both primary and secondary data, the research identifies disparities in financial literacy based on education, age, income, and occupation. It also analyses the usage of banking and digital financial services and the socio-cultural barriers to financial empowerment. The study employs statistical tools including Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and correlation analysis via SPSS to derive insights. The findings advocate for focused financial education initiatives to foster inclusive economic growth. 

Keywords: Financial literacy, Women empowerment, Kerala, Palakkad, Digital finance, Economic inclusion