Women and financial freedom become hot topic at Bangalore Lit Fest

Financial freedom is feminism, said Shaili Chopra, founder of SheThePeople TV, at the Bangalore Literature Festival. Money and women's ability to take charge became a hot topic at the panel discussion 'On My Own' on Sunday.

"Money buys me the ability to say no. It enables me to choose what I say yes to," said the founder of the feminist website.

Speaking on the same panel, Shrayana Bhattacharya, economist, and author of Desperately Seeking Shah Rukh said money is a pleasure for her because it gives the ability to buy what you want and do what you want with your time. She added that it is a luxury that most women in India do not have. Bhattacharya also raised the question of how women have or do not have the power to spend the money they are earning, reported The News Minute.

Echoing the same sentiment, investment banker Anukrti Upadhyay said while money is power for men, it is freedom and security for women. "It means having a place of your own or even a room of your own or the freedom to express ourselves."

Business journalist Meghna Pant said many women have the power to make money but do not have the agency to enjoy it. She added women must secretly save a part of their income so that they can leave an abusive marriage or take a break from work.

Former banker turned writer Aruna Nambiar said women in weaker socio-economic backgrounds may earn more than their husbands but they end up spending most of it on household expenses. The speakers also discussed how women spending on luxury products is seen as a negative act and why society needs to move away from it.

Pink tax - which forces women to pay more tax because women's products are priced higher than similar products sold to men - was another major topic at the panel.