A few weeks ago, I met a woman in a small town fighting her divorce battle.
She had asked for a lump sum alimony, but when I asked how she arrived at the figure, she admitted it was just a guess.

We sat down together and worked it out:
– her monthly household and medical expenses,
– the impact of inflation, and
– the interest her corpus could realistically earn.

The calculation changed everything.

The amount she had in mind was far too little to secure her future.

The truth is: the court will consider the husband’s income when awarding maintenance or alimony. But when a woman presents her needs with a clear financial base, it helps the court decide more fairly and firmly. A random figure weakens the claim; a reasoned demand strengthens it.

What seems like “a big amount today” can quickly shrink when inflation chips away. For example, ₹20,000 a month today can double in 10 years. Without financial literacy, many women unknowingly compromise their future security.

But financial literacy is not only about money. It is about:
✔️ Dignity – knowing you can stand on your own feet
✔️ Security – protecting your children’s future
✔️ Empowerment – making informed choices, not forced compromises

👩‍⚖️ Imagine a woman walking out of court not just with a legal victory, but with the confidence to rebuild her life, educate her children, and even help others do the same. That is the real power of financial literacy + legal awareness.

As a society, we must normalize these conversations:
– Parents should teach their daughters about money as much as they teach their sons.
– Schools should integrate financial basics into education.
– Families should empower women to manage and grow wealth, not just hand it over.

Because empowerment begins when a woman knows:
What she owns, what she earns, what she deserves, and how to claim it.

I have explored these themes in greater depth in my book, Indian Women and Financial Fitness, written with the conviction that financial independence is the foundation of true empowerment for every woman.