Women empowerment through micro-enterprise skilling

Women’s economic empowerment is central to realizing women’s rights and gender equality. Empowering women in the economy and closing the gender gap is the way to transform an entire family’s economic growth and hence the economic growth of the nation.

With this aim, SP’s women empowerment programs have been piloted in the drought-affected rural regions of Maharashtra and Rajasthan.

Along with promoting climate-resilient farming practices, the women will be trained to start and sustain micro-enterprises. Relevant vocational and business skills will be imparted to ensure success in the chosen business area which is spread across local handicraft, farm-based, and non-farm-based businesses.

Financial literacy, business accounting, and market linkages form integral parts of the program design.

The projects commenced in early 2020 have skilled more than 6,000 women to become micro-entrepreneurs. This includes business skills in agro-based and service-based micro-business. Business skills, soft skills, and an understanding of the entire value chain are emphasized for sustenance.

Over 30,000 rural women are mobilized across 150+ villages and awareness is generated about the possibilities and opportunities for rural women.

92% of women have their own bank accounts while 30% of women in the projects have availed of some form of loans for their business and government subsidies.

The transformation has also taken place on social parameters like improved awareness of children’s education, health and hygiene. There has been an increase in confidence, respect and self-reliant women with the participation of women in family decisions.