A new financial education program has kicked off, with a specific focus on women.

The coalition of groups that are sponsoring the effort say it's partially inspired by a recent survey that indicated many women could use some education on money management issues.

The survey, by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), found that 70% of women had problems with credit card debt and savings strategies. It also found that only 30% of those surveyed described themselves as being "confident" or a "risk taker" in matters dealing with money.

The AICPA is coordinating the campaign with the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) and The Advertising Council, which is the nation's largest provider of public service advertisements.

Those behind the campaign say it will be a three-year effort, and will be part of a broader financial education campaign, targeting the general population, that will kick off in 2005. The campaign will be aimed at women spanning a broad demographic group, the officials say.

"The public service campaign directed to women is an important step in reaching an audience that faces many unique financial challenges, as they have not been heavily targeted by the mainstream financial services industry," says William L. Anthes, president and CEO of NEFE.