The United Nations has hailed India’s banking programme, which has brought banking services to over 290 million women, as a global model for a transformative pathway for women and girls. Director of policy for UN Women, Sandra Hendriks, has said the Indian government’s example of enabling digital identification for its entire population of women and girls, notably, is indeed a model. She further said that the easing of requirements for women and girls across India to open digital bank accounts has also emerged as a model for financial inclusion. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, which is now in its 12th year, has brought banking services to women, who now hold 56 percent of the accounts opened under the programme.