Rural women in India have always been the backbone of their families and communities, contributing extensively to agriculture, handicrafts, and small businesses. However, despite their significant role, they continue to face numerous barriers that restrict their economic participation. The “Enabling Livelihoods: Boosting Women-led Rural Enterprises” program, initiated by Contact Base and supported by IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIM-CIP), aims to support grassroots organizations that empower rural women through building livelihoods.

Bridging the Gender Gap
In rural India, women comprise about 50% of the agricultural workforce, yet they often remain excluded from economic growth due to a lack of financial resources, limited access to markets, and societal constraints. Studies reveal that rural women face systemic challenges such as lower literacy rates and restricted mobility, which inhibit their economic potential. However, research shows that entrepreneurship is a game changer. According to researches on rural women’s participation in the economy, women entrepreneurs contribute around 3% of India’s GDP, and this number is steadily growing. As more women venture into businesses, they are creating new economic opportunities, reshaping their lives, and, in turn, their communities.

About the Winners:

Hill Social Welfare Society, based in Kalimpong, has been empowering rural women for the past 23 years. The organization focuses on building the capacities of women in sectors such as horticulture, floriculture, handloom weaving, greenhouse farming, and organic farming. By providing training and directly linking women with markets, they have enabled many to generate stable incomes, contributing to financial stability in economically vulnerable areas. Their transformative efforts have allowed women in these regions to achieve financial independence through sustainable livelihoods.

North 24 Parganas Samyo Shromojibi Sanstha, located in Bashirhat near the India-Bangladesh border, is a women’s collective that has made significant progress in empowering rural women through skill development and financial inclusion. The organization provides training in areas such as sewing, handicrafts, and livelihood skills. Additionally, they play a crucial role in connecting women entrepreneurs with financial schemes and low-interest loans, helping them start small businesses in sectors like fashion, farming, and handmade jewelry. Their efforts have enabled many women to gain economic independence, positively impacting their families and communities. Both organizations have demonstrated a strong commitment to building skills, providing market access, and fostering entrepreneurship, aligning with the broader objective of this program to create sustainable income opportunities for rural women and enhance their financial independence.

Toward a Sustainable Future
Initiatives like the “Enabling Livelihoods” program are crucial in providing women entrepreneurs with the resources they need to grow. With grants and skill-building workshops, these programs are ensuring that women can scale their businesses, expand their markets, and create jobs for others. This program is just one example of how targeted initiatives can bring about lasting change in rural communities. By investing in women-led businesses, we are fostering an environment where gender equality, economic independence, and community empowerment go hand in hand and we take a significant step forward to a more inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable future. In this program, we are providing support in the capacity building of the selected organizations.