Revisiting Women’s Day at OpenGrowth: Empowerment Through Financial Independence

Women's Day at OpenGrowth was more than just a celebration—it was a movement toward financial empowerment and independence. As Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said, "Women belong in all places where decisions are being made." This year, we ensured that financial decisions were one of those places.

Breaking Barriers in Financial Literacy

The statistics speak for themselves: globally, only 33% of women are financially literate compared to 45% of men.

In India, just 7% of women invest independently. These numbers highlight the urgent need for financial education and empowerment. Understanding this gap, OpenGrowth took the initiative to equip women with the knowledge and tools to take charge of their financial future.

Financial Literacy and Investment

Women often face unique challenges in investment confidence and decision-making. Studies show that only 53% of women feel confident in managing investments. The top barriers to investing include:

?? Lack of savings – 38% of women cite this as a major hurdle.

?? Lack of knowledge – 32% feel they don’t have enough financial literacy.

?? Perceived risk – 22% worry about investment risks, preventing them from taking action.

A Powerful Session with Nidhi Rungta

To lead the conversation, we invited Nidhi Rungta, an esteemed financial expert and the founder of Invest My Paisa. With over 700 clients and ?200 Crores in Assets Under Management (AUM), Nidhi has been instrumental in guiding retail investors, SMEs, and women toward financial independence. Her insights and strategies opened new doors for us, making financial literacy an accessible and achievable goal.

Key Takeaways for Women in Finance

Nidhi shared actionable tips for financial success:

? Start with a Budget – The 50/30/20 rule for smart money management.

? Build an Emergency Fund – Save 3-6 months of expenses before investing.

? Leverage Compound Interest – A ?10,000 investment at 8% annually grows to ?47,000 in 20 years!

? Diversify Investments – Balance equity, debt, gold, and real estate.

? Automate Your Savings – "What you don’t see, you won’t spend!"

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

For our female entrepreneurs, the session provided crucial insights on navigating the business finance landscape:

?? Explore Diverse Funding – Women-focused loans, grants, and crowdfunding platforms.

?? Master Financial Skills – Cash flow management and financial literacy.

?? Negotiate with Confidence – Set fair prices and aim for win-win deals.

???? Create Supportive Policies – Flexible work policies, equal pay, and parental leave.

?? Keep Learning – Enroll in programs like Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Women.

?? Find & Be a Mentor – Support and uplift aspiring entrepreneurs.

A Step Towards Financial Freedom

At OpenGrowth, we believe that financial knowledge is power and financial independence is freedom. As Mellody Hobson puts it, "Women should have their own bank accounts, investments, and a say in financial decisions."

If you're still figuring out your financial journey, you don’t have to do it alone. OpenGrowth provides expert guidance to help women entrepreneurs build financially sound businesses—without fixed costs or long-term commitments.

Let’s continue breaking barriers and shaping a future where every woman stands strong in her financial independence. Until next Women’s Day, let’s keep learning, investing, and growing together!?