Towards financial independence: Over 63% of women in Bharat aspire to start their own business, say PayNearby report

Over 63 per cent of women in Bharat aspire to start their own business, reflecting a strong desire for financial independence and self-reliance, said a survey report by PayNearby titled “PayNearby Women Financial Index (PWFI)”, that highlighted financial consumption by women at retail stores. PayNearby conducted a survey among over 5,000 retail stores in the country recording financial transactions of women consumers as observed in those outlets. The report highlighted the preference for biometric authentication, with over 95 per cent of female customers opting for AePS for cash withdrawal. While cash remains the favoured mode of transaction, with 48 per cent of women favouring it, Aadhaar-led transactions and UPI QR codes are gaining momentum in double digits. Cards continued to have a minimal presence in this segment. Notably, women aged 18-30, followed by 31-40, are the most digitally adept, showing a strong inclination towards financial transactions. Interestingly, 41 per cent o