Let’s Talk About What Nobody Talks About

CRED’s founder Kunal Shah recently dropped a truth bomb that got people thinking and talking. In an interview, he pointed out something that’s often ignored: “Countries with low financial independence for women often have lower divorce rates not because people are happier, but because women don’t have the means to leave.”

It’s a bold statement. But one that makes perfect sense when you look closer.

What Does Financial Independence Really Mean for Women?

It’s not just about having a job. True financial independence means a woman can make her own choices, manage her own money, and walk away from situations that don’t serve her whether it’s a toxic workplace or a difficult marriage.

Sadly, millions of women in India don’t have that option.

Why Fewer Divorces Doesn’t Mean Happier Homes

Let’s get real: A low divorce rate is often celebrated as a sign of strong family values. But the truth is messier. Many women stay in unhappy marriages because they can’t afford not to.

Imagine being stuck in a relationship where you have no control over your finances, no job, and no backup plan. That’s not love it’s survival.

What Kunal Shah Noticed in China Changed Everything

After selling FreeCharge, Shah visited China. What stood out to him?

“In every product meeting, there were more women than men,” he said.

This wasn’t just about diversity it was about inclusion. Women were leading, creating, making decisions. That led him to look at India’s workforce numbers, and what he found was troubling: women here are barely in the game.

India’s Gender Gap at Work

India has one of the lowest female workforce participation rates in the world. Why? The reasons are deep and cultural:

• Families often prioritize boys’ education.

• Safety concerns stop women from commuting.

• Household chores and child-rearing fall mostly on women.

• There’s a lack of flexibility at workplaces.

It’s like the system isn’t built for women to thrive.

Why It Matters to the Economy (and Everyone)

Kunal’s point is simple but powerful: If only one gender is earning, how can the country grow?

In households where women aren’t earning, the potential for income, savings, and investments is halved. Plus, spending patterns get skewed financial decisions revolve around male preferences, which often leaves gaps in sectors like education, health, or wellness products.

The “Time Value of Money” Mindset Missing in India

One thing Shah loves to point out is how many Indians don’t understand the value of their time. Especially women. So many do unpaid work all day cooking, cleaning, caring and get no financial recognition for it.

But time is money. And we need to start treating it that way.

From BPOs to Billion-Dollar Startups—Kunal Connects the Dots

Every business Kunal Shah has built started with an observation. Whether it was how we recharge phones (FreeCharge) or how we manage credit (CRED), it’s all connected to how people think—and behave—with money.

That’s why he’s so passionate about financial inclusion. Not just for tech bros and urban professionals—but for everyone, especially women.

So, What Can We Do About It?

Let’s move from talk to action:

• Support girl education from the start.

• Teach financial literacy in schools.

• Promote remote and flexible jobs for women.

• Encourage men to share the load at home.

• Create safer, more inclusive workplaces.

Change won’t happen overnight but every step counts.

Final Thoughts: It’s About Choice, Not Divorce

Here’s the thing: higher divorce rates aren’t a bad sign. They simply show that people especially women have options.

Kunal Shah’s insight forces us to ask hard questions: Are our “stable” families really stable? Or are they quietly built on dependency and fear?

Empowering women financially isn’t just good for them it’s good for families, communities, and the entire country.