{"id":176250,"date":"2025-08-22T09:07:25","date_gmt":"2025-08-22T09:07:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.premium-partners.net\/?p=176250"},"modified":"2025-08-24T05:52:49","modified_gmt":"2025-08-24T05:52:49","slug":"bridging-the-financial-literacy-gap-for-women-in-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.premium-partners.net\/fr\/builder\/bridging-the-financial-literacy-gap-for-women-in-south-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"Bridging the financial literacy gap for women in South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"

This post<\/a> was originally published on this site<\/a><\/p>

<\/p>\n

Economically active women often carry a double burden as breadwinners and primary caregivers, according to Wendy Myers, head of securities at PSG Wealth. She says this limits their ability to rise to senior roles, impacting income potential and causing financial strain.<\/p>\n

According to Myers, despite significant strides in representation and empowerment, South African women continue to shoulder a disproportionately heavy burden of financial stress. DebtBusters\u2019 latest Money Stress Tracker found that nearly 75% of female respondents reported high levels of financial anxiety, 10% more than men.<\/p>\n

She says the drivers behind this imbalance are deeply rooted in both societal dynamics and systemic barriers.<\/p>\n

An\u00e9 Craig, head of fixed income at PSG Asset Management, adds that financial literacy also plays a role. \u201cAnother key reason that women experience higher levels of financial stress is due to a gap in financial literacy, and adjacent to that, barriers to financial inclusion,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

A lack of financial confidence further compounds anxiety around financial issues, notes Robyn Laubscher, advice and product specialist at PSG Wealth. \u201cEven when fully capable, many women underestimate their financial knowledge because they\u2019ve received less encouragement to engage in financial decisions from a young age.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Linda Kleynscheldt, head of actuarial and product at PSG Wealth, it typically boils down to fear of the unknown. \u201cFor women, the key to breaking through the unknown and understanding possible future outcomes lies in bridging the financial literacy gap. This is often the first step towards financial wellness”.<\/p>\n

While definitions may vary, the women all agree that real financial well-being is about more than money. \u201cIt\u2019s about being able to meet both your current and future needs with a sense of ease and security,\u201d says Myers. \u201cFinancial wellness can significantly contribute to improved mental health as financial stability reduces stress and anxiety.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Craig, it\u2019s also about resilience and independence. \u201cCan you meet your family\u2019s basic needs,  both now and in retirement, while navigating unexpected events? Financial autonomy is the goal: having the power to make informed decisions without fear.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kleynscheldt adds that long-term financial wellness comes down to consistent, quality decision-making. \u201cIt\u2019s not about how much you have now, but whether you\u2019ve got a solid plan in place. And can you break that plan into small, actionable steps?\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the most common missteps, says Laubscher, is waiting for the right time to get started. \u201cThe sooner a financial plan is put into place, the better. Take full responsibility for your finances, regardless of your relationship status or life stage,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

To do this, Craig urges women to become informed. \u201cBuild a basic understanding of your investment options and understand your requirements. Your needs change as you go through different phases of life, so this will determine what kind of product would be best for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the first step is to take ownership, this doesn\u2019t mean going at it alone, insists Kleynscheldt. \u201cThere is so much information, guidance, and advice out there. Start with what makes sense in the context of what is important to you. A certified financial planner is trained to assist you in taking this information and crafting an investment or savings plan to reach your goals”.<\/p>\n

Financial stress aside, many women have a natural inclination for investing and should lean into that. \u201cWomen are statistically better investors than men. They\u2019re more disciplined and less likely to trade reactively, which helps portfolio performance over time. So, I encourage all women to leverage their natural skills and start investing today,” says Myers.<\/p>\n

She warns, however, that women still invest in equities at lower rates than men, often due to risk aversion or lack of access. \u201cShares remain the best long-term hedge against inflation, so avoiding them can hurt your goals”.<\/p>\n

Craig agrees. \u201cWomen often default to low-risk fixed income products. While they feel safer, the returns may be too low to meet long-term needs. The key is to understand how much risk you can take, and sometimes, how much risk you can\u2019t afford not to take”.<\/p>\n

Kleynscheldt cautions against being swayed by marketing promises. \u201cBe critical of the costs and benefits of any product. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Compare your options and read the fine print”.<\/p>\n

Financial wellness isn\u2019t built overnight; it\u2019s the product of consistent habits applied over time. For Craig, it\u2019s the principle of paying yourself first. \u201cI save before I spend. A debit order goes straight into investments on payday, before I budget for anything else. If you wait to save what\u2019s left over, there\u2019s often nothing left”.<\/p>\n

Myers says that discipline and a passion for investing have been key to her financial journey. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing more satisfying than watching your investments grow. The more engaged you are, the better the rewards”.<\/p>\n

Kleynscheldt says she has always planned with purpose. \u201cFrom my first pay cheque, I\u2019ve looked at my salary net of taxes and retirement savings, before I even consider what I have to spend. I also like to set myself specific joy-goals, like travel, for which to save. Saving up with a goal and deadline in mind has given me life-long memories and experiences to treasure, without the burden of debt afterwards.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finally, Laubscher stresses the importance of putting one foot in front of the other. \u201cPlanning can feel overwhelming, but like Mark Twain said, \u2018The secret to getting ahead is getting started; and the secret to getting started is breaking your complex, overwhelming tasks into small, manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one\u2019”.<\/p>\n

PERSONAL FINANCE<\/strong><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Economically active women often carry a double burden as breadwinners and primary caregivers, according to Wendy Myers, head of securities at PSG Wealth. She says this limits their ability to rise to senior roles, impacting income potential and causing financial strain.According to Myers, despite significant strides in representation and empowerment, South African women continue to shoulder a disproportionately heavy burden of financial stress. DebtBusters\u2019 latest Money Stress Tracker found that nearly 75% of female respondents reported high levels of financial anxiety, 10% more than men.She says the drivers behind this imbalance are deeply rooted in both societal dynamics and systemic barriers.An\u00e9 Craig, head of fixed income at PSG Asset Management, adds that financial literacy also plays a role. \u201cAnother key reason that women experience higher levels of financial stress is due to a gap in financial literacy, and adjacent to that, barriers to financial inclusion,\u201d she says.A lack of financial confidence further compounds anxiety around financial issues, notes Robyn Laubscher, advice and product specialist at PSG Wealth. \u201cEven when fully capable, many women underestimate their financial knowledge because they\u2019ve received less encouragement to engage in financial decisions from a young age.\u201dFor Linda Kleynscheldt, head of actuarial and product at PSG Wealth, it typically boils down to fear of the unknown. \u201cFor women, the key to breaking through the unknown and understanding possible future outcomes lies in bridging the financial literacy gap. This is often the first step towards financial wellness”.While definitions may vary, the women all agree that real financial well-being is about more than money. \u201cIt\u2019s about being able to meet both your current and future needs with a sense of ease and security,\u201d says Myers. \u201cFinancial wellness can significantly contribute to improved mental health as financial stability reduces stress and anxiety.\u201dFor Craig, it\u2019s also about resilience and independence. \u201cCan you meet your family\u2019s basic needs,\u00a0 both now and in retirement, while navigating unexpected events? Financial autonomy is the goal: having the power to make informed decisions without fear.\u201dKleynscheldt adds that long-term financial wellness comes down to consistent, quality decision-making. \u201cIt\u2019s not about how much you have now, but whether you\u2019ve got a solid plan in place. And can you break that plan into small, actionable steps?\u201dOne of the most common missteps, says Laubscher, is waiting for the right time to get started. \u201cThe sooner a financial plan is put into place, the better. Take full responsibility for your finances, regardless of your relationship status or life stage,\u201d she says.To do this, Craig urges women to become informed. \u201cBuild a basic understanding of your investment options and understand your requirements. Your needs change as you go through different phases of life, so this will determine what kind of product would be best for you.\u201dWhile the first step is to take ownership, this doesn\u2019t mean going at it alone, insists Kleynscheldt. \u201cThere is so much information, guidance, and advice out there. Start with what makes sense in the context of what is important to you. A certified financial planner is trained to assist you in taking this information and crafting an investment or savings plan to reach your goals”.Financial stress aside, many women have a natural inclination for investing and should lean into that. \u201cWomen are statistically better investors than men. They\u2019re more disciplined and less likely to trade reactively, which helps portfolio performance over time. So, I encourage all women to leverage their natural skills and start investing today,” says Myers.She warns, however, that women still invest in equities at lower rates than men, often due to risk aversion or lack of access. \u201cShares remain the best long-term hedge against inflation, so avoiding them can hurt your goals”.Craig agrees. \u201cWomen often default to low-risk fixed income products. While they feel safer, the returns may be too low to meet long-term needs. The key is to understand how much risk you can take, and sometimes, how much risk you can\u2019t afford not to take”.Kleynscheldt cautions against being swayed by marketing promises. \u201cBe critical of the costs and benefits of any product. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Compare your options and read the fine print”.Financial wellness isn\u2019t built overnight; it\u2019s the product of consistent habits applied over time. For Craig, it\u2019s the principle of paying yourself first. \u201cI save before I spend. A debit order goes straight into investments on payday, before I budget for anything else. If you wait to save what\u2019s left over, there\u2019s often nothing left”.Myers says that discipline and a passion for investing have been key to her financial journey. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing more satisfying than watching your investments grow. The more engaged you are, the better the rewards”.Kleynscheldt says she has always planned with purpose. \u201cFrom my first pay cheque, I\u2019ve looked at my salary net of taxes and retirement savings, before I even consider what I have to spend. I also like to set myself specific joy-goals, like travel, for which to save. Saving up with a goal and deadline in mind has given me life-long memories and experiences to treasure, without the burden of debt afterwards.\u201dFinally, Laubscher stresses the importance of putting one foot in front of the other. \u201cPlanning can feel overwhelming, but like Mark Twain said, \u2018The secret to getting ahead is getting started; and the secret to getting started is breaking your complex, overwhelming tasks into small, manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one\u2019”.PERSONAL FINANCE<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27766,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-176250","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-builder"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.premium-partners.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/176250","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.premium-partners.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.premium-partners.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.premium-partners.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.premium-partners.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=176250"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.premium-partners.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/176250\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":176251,"href":"https:\/\/www.premium-partners.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/176250\/revisions\/176251"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.premium-partners.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27766"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.premium-partners.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=176250"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.premium-partners.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=176250"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.premium-partners.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=176250"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}