Gender and financial inclusion: does technology make a difference?

Abstract Using district-level survey data, the analysis assesses the impact of technology in fostering the financial inclusion of women in India. The findings show that women are 12% less likely to use a mobile phone while opening accounts and 9% less likely to actively use such accounts. Relatedly, account ownership and its use are less likely for women with mobile phones, especially in the post-PMJDY period. The evidence also reveals a differential impact of mobile phones on women across strata and primarily for below-poverty line respondents. The analysis suggests the need for carefully-crafted policies to address this mobile gender gap in order to further reduce the gender gap in financial inclusion.