Financial literacy is often overshadowed in conversations about education, yet it’s a vital pillar of empowerment, especially for women and girls in Nepal. At its core, financial literacy is about understanding and effectively using financial skills such as budgeting, saving, investing, and managing daily expenses. For women, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, mastering these skills can transform lives, offering independence and the ability to shape their futures. 

In Nepal, cultural traditions have often excluded women from financial decision-making, with men typically seen as the primary breadwinners. This exclusion has left countless women unprepared to handle money matters, from budgeting for daily needs to planning for unexpected challenges. Financial illiteracy can lead to issues like mounting debt or overspending, simply because the skills to manage resources effectively are absent. 

Financial literacy is vital because it empowers women to face life’s uncertainties. Whether it’s a medical emergency, sudden loss of a spouse, or the need to live independently, knowing how to manage money provides resilience. A financially literate woman can budget thoughtfully, ensuring her family’s needs are met while preparing for rising costs or inflation. She can also pass these skills to her children, who often spend more time with their mothers, creating a ripple effect of financial awareness across generations.

The journey to financial literacy starts with small, intentional steps. Women can begin by learning to track expenses and create a simple budget, distinguishing between needs and wants. Setting aside even a small amount for savings can build an emergency fund, offering security for unexpected challenges.

Financial literacy is more than a skill, it’s a tool for freedom, confidence, and equality in Nepal. For women, it breaks down barriers, challenges outdated norms, and opens doors to a brighter future. By embracing financial education, women can take charge of their lives, support their families, and contribute meaningfully to society.

Since its founding in 2006 as a non-governmental organization, SAATH has been a beacon of empowerment for marginalized communities in Nepal, led by an all-female Board of Directors consisting of nine members. Based in Kathmandu, SAATH adopts a rights-based approach to foster women’s leadership through initiatives like its  Awasar program, which has transformed lives in districts such as Dhanusha, Makwanpur, and Sindupalchowk.

The Awasar program equips rural women with entrepreneurial skills, advocacy tools, and financial literacy to achieve financial independence. Its financial literacy sessions simplify key concepts, teaching women the meaning of financial literacy, how to register a business with local wards and Small and Cottage Industries, and how to obtain a PAN while accessing exemptions and benefits for women-owned businesses under Nepal’s Income Tax Act 2058.

Participants also learn basic bookkeeping, including understanding accounting terms, maintaining a separate bank account, tracking cash flow, filing income tax returns, and preparing for audits. Additionally, the program highlights loan concessions provided by Nepal Rastra Bank to encourage women’s involvement in business and income generation. Women are also guided on pricing products, factoring in expenses and calculating profit margins to ensure sustainable ventures. By empowering women with these practical skills, SAATH not only promotes financial independence but also strengthens communities, embodying Nepal’s spirit of resilience and unity as of 2025.

Our work is far from complete. We recognize the crucial role that financial knowledge plays in every woman’s life. Financial literacy remains at the heart of all SAATH’s initiatives, and we are committed to continuing our efforts toward the economic empowerment of women and adolescent girls from marginalized and vulnerable communities across Nepal.