Digital and Financial Literacy for Uplifting Women and Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

This systemized literature review, developed according to PRISMA, examines the engagement of digital and financial literacy in the empowerment of women and improvement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). After reviewing 1,045 articles identified from the initial search, a final set of 85 articles were analysed based on a search of the research type, research classification, and thematic focus. Of the collected articles, 58 were India-centred and 20 were from other emerging economies. It was identified throughout the literature that digital literacy impacts women's access to information, networks, and entrepreneurship opportunities, whereas financial literacy improves women's ability to make informed economic decisions and enhances their financial literacy. The combined outcome of digital and financial literacy provides the tools needed for women to reduce poverty and structural inequity. Furthermore, themes of education, access, and ability (in terms of infrastructure) are discussed as significant constraints to women's empowerment. The results provide additional support for proactive integrated literacy initiatives that are gender responsive. In terms of policy recommendations, our findings suggest that there should be more integrated and responsive literacy programs embedded in national development agendas, in accordance with strategic global SDG initiatives, to improve socially positioned and sustainable development.