Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part J (2025)

Financial inclusion, driven by digital transformation, has emerged as a pivotal instrument for fostering sustainable socio-economic empowerment, particularly among rural women. However, disparities in digital literacy, infrastructure access, and institutional support continue to hinder inclusive progress. This study systematically reviews and synthesizes recent literature to evaluate how digital financial inclusion influences the socio-economic and environmental well-being of rural women. Employing a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) methodology, it integrates empirical findings from cross-country and Indian contexts, focusing on the mediating roles of digital literacy, financial education, and institutional support. The findings reveal that digital financial tools such as mobile banking, fintech platforms, and microcredit applications enhance women’s entrepreneurial capacity, income diversification, and decision-making power while promoting environmentally responsible practices through sustainable livelihood initiatives. However, the review identifies persistent challenges, including limited awareness, infrastructural inequities, and gender-based barriers that constrain the full realization of financial inclusion benefits. The study concludes that integrating financial inclusion with digital literacy and sustainability-oriented policies can bridge socio-economic and environmental divides, empowering rural women as active agents of sustainable development. The paper further proposes a conceptual framework linking digital finance, empowerment, and sustainability to inform future empirical research and policy interventions.