DBS India & Haqdarshak Unveil Report on Financial Habits of Rural Women Entrepreneurs

By: WE staff | Friday, 7 March 2025

• DBS Bank India partners with Haqdarshak to release a detailed report on rural women entrepreneurs
• The report explores the aspirations, challenges, and financial behaviors of women entrepreneurs in rural India
• This initiative Launched ahead of International Women's Day 2025

DBS Bank India, in partnership with Haqdarshak, has released an in-depth report on the aspirations, challenges, and financial behaviors of women entrepreneurs in rural India. Launched in advance of International Women's Day 2025, the report expands on DBS Bank India's 2024 'Women and Finance' (WAF) study, which includes three separate reports, each offering distinct insights into the financial attitudes of women from various segments.

The first two reports offered insights into women in urban India, examining their savings and investment habits, career choices, and the challenges they encounter in the workforce. The third report focused on women entrepreneurs in Indian metros, highlighting the key areas where they seek support and opportunities for business growth.

The current study, carried out by Haqdarshak, surveyed 411 women entrepreneurs from rural districts in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, with 402 of them being members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Additionally, the study incorporated qualitative insights from five focus group discussions (FGDs), providing a deeper understanding of their experiences.

The survey highlights a growing trend of financial independence among rural women entrepreneurs. 18 percent of respondents make financial decisions on their own, while 47 percent share decision-making responsibilities with their husbands. 24 percent reported that their husbands make all financial decisions, and the remaining 11 percent seek advice from immediate or extended family members. This distribution reflects both progress and the continuation of traditional norms.

Haqdarshak has received ongoing support from the DBS Foundation (DBSF) over the years, including the 2018 DBSF Business for Impact Grant and the 2020 DBSF Business Transformation Improvement Grant. In 2023, Haqdarshak became a DBSF programme partner in India, working to enhance digital and financial literacy in vulnerable communities, benefiting over 206,400 individuals nationwide.

In February 2025, the DBS Foundation teamed up with Haqdarshak for a new initiative focused on advancing financial inclusion in rural India. With SGD 5.1 million in funding, the programme aims to strengthen financial resilience and social security for 500,000 beneficiaries, including 50,000 nano entrepreneurs in India.