SINDA & IMSSA Empower Women to Take Control of Their Finances
Collaborative initiative aims to equip women with practical skills and confidence to better manage family finances and make informed decisions on their financial future
- 26 April 2026 – The Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA), in partnership with the Indian Muslim Social Service Association (IMSSA), launched a Financial Literacy Workshop on 26 April 2026 at An-Nahdhah Mosque. Conducted under SINDA’s Let Her Shine! programme, the workshop aimed to equip women with practical financial knowledge to better manage their financial futures.
- Aligned with Singapore’s efforts to strengthen financial literacy and social mobility, the session also marked the start of a broader ground-up initiative led by Dr Hamid Razak, Member of Parliament for West Coast–Jurong West GRC and Executive Committee (EXCO) Member at SINDA. The initiative focused on addressing key gaps within the community, with an emphasis on skills-based support for women.
- “Building financial literacy is fundamental to strengthening social mobility. This initiative tackles existing gaps by equipping women with the knowledge to make informed financial decisions. For many women who play a central role in caregiving and budgeting, this goes beyond financial skills. It enables greater independence, strengthens long-term security, and empowers them to take a more active role in financial decision-making within their households and communities”, shared Dr Hamid.
- Designed primarily for women aged 30 to 50, the 1.5-hour workshop was tailored to the needs of the Indian Muslim community while remaining open to all and aimed to reach approximately 60 women. The session was led by Ms Uma Mutayan, a Director at DBS Bank with close to 20 years of experience across financial institutions and banks such as UOB and Credit Suisse.
- “Empowering women is about unlocking independence, confidence, and opportunity. It gives them the ability to make informed decisions, navigate uncertainties, and create opportunities not just for themselves, but for their families as well,” said Ms. Mutayan.
- The session covered key areas including debt management, savings, basic investments, and financial safety. It addressed common gaps in budgeting and financial planning, while raising awareness of long-term needs such as emergency savings, insurance, and retirement.
- By combining expert-led guidance with community support, the initiative aimed to drive measurable impact at both the individual and household level. Pre- and post-session evaluations were conducted to assess improvements in financial literacy.
- The initiative also highlights the role of trusted community spaces in supporting learning and engagement. “The mosque is not only a place of worship, but also a space for community growth and support. By hosting programmes like this, we hope to create safe and accessible platforms for women to learn, connect, and empower themselves in meaningful ways,” said Aneesa Faruvin, President of IMSSA.
- As part of SINDA’s Let Her Shine! programme and its partnership with IMSSA, this initiative serves as the first in a series of programmes aimed at expanding outreach to more women across the community. Future efforts will include collaborations with ground organisations to strengthen impact and programme effectiveness, while empowering women with the confidence and financial resilience to shape their own futures.
For more information and media queries, please contact: corpcomms@sinda.org.sg