Digital Financial Innovation and Women's Economic Independence: A Key to Achieving the SDGs

Abstract

Digital financial innovation has become one of the main tools in expanding financial inclusion, especially for women. This study aims to analyze the role of digital financial innovation in encouraging women's economic independence and formulate relevant strategies and policy directions in supporting the achievement of SDGs, especially SDG 5 and SDG 8. This study uses a qualitative descriptive approach and strategic design. The subjects of the study were women entrepreneurs, while the object was the use of digital financial services in supporting their businesses. The results of the study show that digital financial innovation is able to expand and improve women's access to financing, business capital, transaction efficiency and financial literacy. However, there are still challenges such as limited internet access in rural areas, low understanding of digital risks, algorithmic bias in the credit rating system and gender gaps are still obstacles. Therefore, this study recommends a strategy for strengthening community-based financial literacy, developing ethical and inclusive financial technology designs, providing regulatory and fiscal incentives for fintech startups committed to gender inclusion and women's empowerment in disadvantaged areas, and synergy between the government, private sector, and the community is needed to create an inclusive and sustainable digital financial ecosystem.