'I AM a woman, hear me roar', so the Helen Reddy song goes, which describes how wise, strong and invincible women are.

Yet, when it comes to managing finances, married women in particular are actually highly vulnerable.

They do not take enough initiative to do as much for themselves as they should.

Instead, they often leave key decisions to their spouses. Surveys indicate that many lack money management skills, have insufficient savings because of disrupted careers, and lack financial security as they age.

A key finding of a recent study by the Tsao Foundation, Citi Singapore and the National University of Singapore was that, in almost all cases surveyed, children's education has top priority in family expenditure.

As women spend their whole lives taking care of others, they become disproportionately vulnerable in their old age and might not have the support they need then.

This is one of the issues the newly launched Citi-Tsao Foundation Financial Education Programme for Mature Women will try to address.

To be rolled out from July, it aims to help middle-aged women become more assertive in asking for financial resources from other family members, save more and steer clear of debt traps.