Abstract:
Digital financial inclusion promotes sustainable economic growth and it is a key
facilitator for many sustainable development goals. It contributes to poverty
reduction and enhances financial intermediation offering financial services through
digital channels to people in society particularly encouraging the economic
participation of women and empowering their economic well-being. Thus, this study
examines how women can be empowered economically through digital financial
inclusion among women entrepreneurs. Accordingly, the study collected primary
data from registered women entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses of the
Bandaragama Divisional Secretariat via the face-to-face interview method using a
printed structured questionnaire and resulted in 146 responses. The study analysed
data mainly through the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling using
Smart PLS and two of the three hypotheses were supported by the study. The results
of the study disclosed that usage and quality of digital financial services positively
and significantly impact economic empowerment among women entrepreneurs.
However, mere access to digital financial services did not show a significant effect
on the economic empowerment of women. Thus, the study has contributed to the body
of empirical knowledge by providing recommendations that encourage the use and
access of quality digital financial products and services to empower women’s
economic well-being.
