Women Empowerment

Over 40% women-owned micro businesses lack emergency savings: MSC report

A significant number of women-owned micro businesses in India lack savings for financial emergencies, making them highly vulnerable to economic shocks, said a report. The report titled 'Decoding the Financial Health of Women-Owned Micro-Businesses (wMB) in India' was prepared by MicroSave Consulting (MSC) in collaboration with Sa-Dhan and supported by JPMorgan Chase. The research covers six regions - Delhi-NCR, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu - providing data-driven insights and calls for targeted interventions. Data was collected through 1,460 computer-assisted personal interviews, key informant interviews with financial institutions and enterprise support organisations, and comprehensive desk research. Interviews with 150 women-owned micro businesses across the six regions revealed insights into their financial decision-making processes, challenges and motivations. The report indicated that 45 per cent of women entrepreneurs lack savings for financial

Direct selling business in India is growing: Oriflame's Edyta Kurek

Kurek discusses Oriflame's commitment to the direct-selling model, its plans to expand its women-led sales force, and how India remains a priority market

Direct benefit transfer for women: Key task for Delhi's new CM Atishi

In the last few weeks, for the on-going Assembly elections in J&K and in Haryana, all the major political parties in the fray have announced monthly allowances for women

Women empowerment key to Odisha's development: PM Modi in Bhubaneswar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said women empowerment is key to development of Odisha, asserting that the third NDA government at the Centre, in its first 100 days, has taken a slew of steps for their welfare. Addressing a rally in Bhubaneswar, he said the promises made by the BJP before the elections this year were being fulfilled at a "rapid pace". "In the first 100 days of the third NDA government, major steps were taken for uplift of the poor, farmers and youth along with the empowerment of women. "Women's empowerment is key to Odisha's development," Modi said after launching the state government's flagship Subhadra Yojana. Under the scheme, all eligible beneficiaries between the age group of 21-60 years would receive Rs 50,000 over a period of five years between 2024-25 and 2028-29. "As promised, we opened Ratna Bhandar at Puri's Jagannath temple after coming to power in the state," he said. PM Modi also announced that the Centre has decided to add 75,000 medical se

India, UAE showed women-led development can deliver better results: Murmu

India and the United Arab Emirates have demonstrated that women-led development can deliver more effective results for overall socio-economic development, President Droupadi Murmu said on Monday. Her assertion came during a meeting she had with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan who had called on the President at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here. She also praised the UAE leadership for ensuring the welfare, particularly the special care taken during the difficult times of the Covid pandemic, of more than 35 lakh Indian citizens in the West Asian country. Murmu was also happy to note the high rate of participation and contribution of women in all aspects of Emirati society, a statement issued by the President's office said. She said, "Both our countries have demonstrated that women-led development can deliver more effective results for overall socio-economic development". The President expressed satisfaction that during the Crown Prince's visit,

Economic empowerment of women will lead to country's progress: Prez Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said economic empowerment of women will lead to the country's progress and development. She also asked women to avail of the welfare schemes of the Centre and the state government. Addressing a gathering here, where the beneficiaries of the Eknath Shinde-led government's 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana' and 'Shashan Aplya Dari' programmes were given certificates, she said the economic empowerment will result in the personal growth of women, who account for half of the country's population. President Murmu expressed happiness that the Maharashtra government has set the target of making 25 lakh women Lakhpati Didis (women earning more than Rs one lakh per year). She said she was happy to note that 13 lakh women have already become Lakhpati Didis. "The Centre has revised the target of Lakhpati Didis from one crore to three crore," the president said. Murmu asked women to take care of their health while caring for their families. "If you

Encourage research in education; change the way women are seen: Prez Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday stressed the need to encourage research in the education system, and said research scholars in India are capable of finding solutions to the problems not only faced by the country but by the world. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 gives impetus to research, she noted while addressing the 21st convocation ceremony at Symbiosis International (Deemed University) in Pune. Murmu also urged students to pursue excellence and not to equate success with material possessions like money, a big house or a car. "I am confident that the young generation is working hard towards the development of the country. People of the country possess a lot of talent and skill. "I want you to understand the requirements of the society and using your knowledge, come up with solutions that can help in the development of the masses, especially those who are marginalised, and it can encourage sustainability," the President said. Through the government schemes, like ...

Funds transferred to 17 mn beneficiaries of Ladki Bahin scheme: CM Shinde

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday said the ambit of the Majhi Ladki Bahin Scheme will be expanded to cover 2.5 crore women even as the state government has transferred money into the bank accounts of 1.7 crore beneficiaries so far. The chief minister launched the second phase of the scheme at Reshimbagh ground here in the presence of Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, and Women and Child Welfare Minister Aditi Tatkare. "We were not born with a golden spoon. We belong to the family of farmers. Having experienced poverty, we understood why a scheme like this was necessary. We know the value of Rs 1,500," Shinde said. The Ladki Bahin Scheme provides monthly assistance of Rs 1,500 to married, divorced, and destitute women in the 21-60 age group with a Rs 2.5 lakh annual family income ceiling. The chief minister said the state government deposited money in the bank accounts of 1.7 crore women in the first phase of th

Statsguru: Violence mars the path to women's empowerment in India

Moreover, significant disparities in wages paid, overall employment and education continue for women, data from the report shows

'Reject divisive tendencies': Prez Murmu asks nation in her I-Day address

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday emphasised the need to strengthen affirmative action as a tool for inclusion while urging the rejection of divisive tendencies rooted in perceived social hierarchies. In her address to the nation on the eve of 78th Independence Day, Murmu highlighted the steady progress of political democracy in India, asserting that it reflects advancements towards social democracy. She noted that the nation thrives on its diversity and plurality, moving forward as a cohesive entity. "Social justice is a top priority for the Narendra Modi government, which has initiated unprecedented measures for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other marginalised communities," the president stated. She quoted B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, emphasising that "political democracy cannot last unless there lies at the base of it social democracy" and said steady progress of political democracy testifies to the progress made towards t

Community-led nutrition initiatives in rural India can empower women: Study

In the Pindwara village of Rajasthan, a grassroots-level initiative led by local women has transformed the community's approach to nutrition. The women, part of a self-help group, began cultivating kitchen gardens to ensure a steady supply of diverse and nutritious food for their families. These gardens now yield a variety of fruits and vegetables, contributing to a balanced diet and reducing the community's dependence on market-bought food items, which are often less nutritious. This initiative has not only improved health, but has also empowered women by giving them control over their family's nutrition. Similarly, in the tribal regions of Chhattisgarh, a collective effort by local community leaders has revitalised traditional agricultural practices. The community has reintroduced indigenous crops like millets and pulses, which are more resilient to the changing climate and require fewer resources to cultivate. These crops are rich in essential nutrients and have historically be

Progress or distress? Track the rise of women-led informal businesses

New Budget schemes seek to improve market access, scaling of operations for women-related ventures

Union Budget 2024: Fiscally prudent, inclusive, and growth-oriented

The MSME sector is the backbone of our economy, and I truly believe that for India to achieve its dream of becoming a US$5 trillion economy, this sector needs to be well supported

Union Budget 2024: Rs 13,539 cr allocated to social justice department

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has been allocated Rs 13,539 crore in the 2024-2025 budget, an increase of 37 per cent from the 2023-2024 revised estimates of Rs 9,853.32 crore. This increase is primarily focused on enhancing welfare programmes for marginalised communities and improving infrastructure for social services. The key areas of funding include Rs 9,549.98 crore for the 'Umbrella Scheme for Development of Scheduled Castes', a significant increase from the Rs 6,780 crore in the previous financial year. For achieving social justice comprehensively, the saturation approach of covering all eligible people through various programmes, including those for education and health, will be adopted, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Tuesday while presenting the 2024-25 Union Budget in Parliament. She said to ensure inclusive human resource development, a social justice saturation approach will be adopted. Social justice through the saturation approach refer

Budget 2024: What do women entrepreneurs expect from FM Nirmala Sitharaman?

Union Budget 2024: Experts seek women-centric initiatives that harness their entrepreneurship potential by providing credit opportunities, improve financial literacy and foster skill development

Paris Olympics nears gender parity, a glance at athlete gender breakdown

The founder of the modern Olympics and former IOC president, Pierre de Coubertin, once said women competing in the Games would be "impractical, uninteresting, unaesthetic and improper." Over a century later, the 2024 Paris Olympic Games are targeting gender parity in the same city where women made their Olympic debut in 1900. The IOC set a goal of a 50-50 split among the more than 11,000 men and women, including backups, registered to compete from July 26 to Aug. 11. However, the latest numbers from the IOC suggest organizers might fall just short of that target. Slightly more medal events for men than women. There is still a slight edge toward men among the 329 medal events at the Paris Olympics. The IOC has said there are 157 men's events, 152 women's events and 20 mixed-gender events. Of the 32 sports, 28 are "fully gender equal," the IOC said, including the new event of breaking to music. Rhythmic gymnastics is still for women only but men are allowed to compete in artistic ...

Union Budget 2024: Push for Lakhpati Didi 2.0 to boost women empowerment

Budget 2024: The Union Budget for the financial year 2024-25 is scheduled to be presented in the Lok Sabha on July 23

Lagging indicator

Gender diversity in India Inc still sub-optimal

More women on boards, but top management tally lags global average

The study found that women in top management positions increased from nearly 14 per cent to about 22 per cent during the same period

Afghan women cricketers request ICC to set up refugee team in Australia

With the dream of once again donning the Afghanistan jersey at the international level, 17 women cricketers from the country living in self-imposed exile in Australia have written to the ICC to help set up a team, which was disbanded after the Taliban takeover in 2021. While the Afghanistan men's team has set new benchmarks and recently made it to the T20 World Cup semifinals for the first time, the women players, who were contracted to the Afghanistan Cricket Board before the Taliban takeover, sought refuge in Australia, where they hope to set up a refugee team and play international cricket. In a letter written to the global governing body, the women cricketers praised the splendid performance of the men's team in the T20 World Cup but rued that they were not getting opportunities to flourish. "We, the formerly contracted players of the Afghanistan women's team, are proud and excited by the achievements of Afghanistan at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup and wish to congratulate Rashid