Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

2024

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Economics

First Advisor

Nacasius Ujah

Abstract

This study examines the driving factors behind gender disparities in access to banking services in South Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) with a focus on legal indicators (assets, marriage, mobility, parenthood, pay, pension, workplace) and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. The choice of South Asia is not just due to the sheer number of women affected by financial exclusion but also because of its economic significance and the opportunity for substantial impact through legal and economic reforms in the world economy. Employing logistic regression models, I examine the critical legal and economic determinants influencing gender disparities in access to banking services in South Asian countries. The key findings indicate that assets, mobility, and parenthood significantly bolster women's financial inclusion, whereas disparities in pay, pensions, and workplace conditions act as significant obstacles. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that among the indicators, pension and parenthood present the most important opportunities for improvement, as evidenced by their lower maximum values in descriptive statistics, highlighting their critical role in enhancing financial inclusion. The analysis highlights the importance of supportive legal environments and informed economic policies in advancing equitable financial access. It calls for targeted reforms to mitigate systemic inequalities, thereby fostering sustainable economic empowerment for women. This inquiry addresses the pivotal research question and sheds light on the interplay between legal frameworks, economic factors, and gender-based financial inclusion in South Asia.

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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Rights Statement

In Copyright