By:- Shreya Krishnan, Managing Director, AnitaB.org India

“I think the concentrated efforts and focus on improving livelihoods—by looking at access to workplaces, alongside education in STEM, and the creation of opportunities through multiple programmes that the government is setting out—are a great indicator that these efforts will actually lead to long-term outcomes and change the landscape in the way we are currently functioning. AnitaB.org India is also launching a programme on similar lines called WeQuest which empowers women in tech and tech adjacent entrepreneurs connect to the right people who can help them with funding, growth, and support incubation acceleration.

Based on the success of the Lakhpati Didi Programme, the plan to facilitate women in taking the next step—from credit-based livelihoods to becoming the owners of businesses—is particularly encouraging. The plan for Self-Help Entrepreneur (SHE) Marts, as retail outlets owned by the community at the level of federations in clusters, has the potential to provide women with actual opportunities to connect to markets, improve their earning capacities, and develop scalable businesses.

The fact that the plan emphasizes improved and innovative financing tools—is because when women are provided with the right ecosystem of capital, it has the potential to go beyond the boundaries of individual livelihoods.”