“Fintech Must Drive Gender Justice,” says President Murmu

• President says India’s fintech journey is also a story of gender justice
• Calls for technology to become a tool for social inclusion
• Warns about cyber threats, deepfakes and financial fraud risks
• Urges digital literacy and skilling for rural and tribal populations

GG News Bureau
Bhubaneswar, 6th Feb: Droupadi Murmu on Thursday said India’s fintech journey must be remembered not only as a technological success but also as a story of gender justice, as she addressed the Black Swan Summit in Bhubaneswar.

Speaking at the summit organised by the Government of Odisha in partnership with the Global Finance and Technology Network, the President said the world is witnessing unprecedented technological change, bringing both opportunities and challenges.

She noted that rapid advances in technology have created concerns such as cybersecurity threats, deepfakes, misinformation and increasing dependence on digital systems. At the same time, she said, these changes are driving innovation, employment and economic growth.

Highlighting India’s progress, the President said the past decade has seen a transformation in the financial system, with direct benefit transfers and digital payments becoming routine for farmers, small traders and women. For millions, she added, fintech has become a lifeline rather than a technical concept.

Calling for greater inclusion, she stressed that women must not be viewed only as end users of fintech products but as leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs in the ecosystem. Every new platform or policy, she said, should be evaluated on whether it enables women to participate actively in the digital and financial landscape.

The President also cautioned that fintech alone cannot guarantee inclusion. Many citizens in rural, tribal and remote areas are still unfamiliar with digital tools, and skilling them is essential to ensure they benefit from technological growth.

She urged entrepreneurs and innovators to ensure that technology becomes a tool for social justice, employment generation and entrepreneurship.

Referring to financial fraud risks, the President said awareness and digital literacy are critical. She noted that the government has set up systems such as the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre and financial fraud reporting mechanisms, but long-term prevention requires digital and financial education, including in school curricula.

She also appreciated the Odisha government’s BharatNetra initiative aimed at building a future-ready workforce in digital, financial and insurance technology sectors, and expressed confidence that the summit would generate ideas and partnerships beneficial for Odisha, India and the world.