The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, in collaboration with the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) and Sapphire International School, organised an Investor Education and Protection Workshop to celebrate International Women’s Day.

The event aimed to strengthen financial literacy, investor awareness, and digital safety among young students and women, supporting the vision of a financially empowered and inclusive society.

The workshop focused on the theme ‘The Future is Now: Financial Education for Gen-Alpha and Bridging the Gender Gap for Viksit Bharat.” It brought together policymakers, financial experts, and educators to discuss the importance of responsible financial behaviour and gender-inclusive financial participation in India’s growing digital economy.

Welcoming the participants, Ms. Ekta Soni, Principal, Sapphire International School, highlighted the importance of equipping young learners, especially girls, with financial knowledge to build confidence and independence.

In her keynote address, Ms. Anita Shah Akella, CEO, IEPFA & Joint Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, emphasised that as India witnesses rapid growth in digital payments, early financial education is essential to help young citizens develop safe financial habits and avoid cyber fraud. She also underlined the importance of empowering women and girls through financial awareness and informed decision-making. 

                   

The panel discussion, moderated by Dr. C. S. Mohapatra, IEPF Chair Professor, NCAER, focused on the need to align financial education with India’s digital transformation and address the gender gap in financial confidence and access. Experts including Dr. Sonal Tikku, Ms. Himani Lath, and CS Shivam Sharma shared insights on cyber safety, financial planning, ethical financial practices, and regulatory awareness.

As part of the outreach initiative, the workshop also engaged housekeeping staff, where experts explained basic concepts of savings, investments, and safe financial practices in a simple and practical manner. An interactive Q&A session allowed participants to seek guidance on digital safety and financial planning.

The workshop concluded with certificate distribution for quiz winners and participants, reinforcing IEPFA and NCAER’s commitment to promoting financial literacy and empowering youth and communities in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat.

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NB/ONP

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