Barriers to women's financial empowerment and factors affecting gender differences in financial literacy

The existence of gender differences in financial literacy calls for a better understanding of the factors affecting women’s financial literacy with respect to men’s. A number of factors are likely to not only reduce women’s financial well-being per se, but also to limit the extent to which women can improve their knowledge, confidence and skills about economic and financial issues, including:A more limited access to education, employment, entrepreneurship for women than for men.Lower financial inclusion and access to formal financial markets for women than for men.The existence of different social attitudes and legal treatment towards men and women in many countries.