Equip Rural Indian Women to Build Livelihoods

From March to April 2021, rural Indian women in informal jobs accounted for 80% of job losses (Financial Express). The Desai Foundation is working to rebuild and empower the lives of women in rural India by equipping women with skills and engaging them in the workforce so they can independently provide for themselves and their families, cultivating confidence and dignity.

We have multiple programs that enhance the capacity and employability of disadvantaged women and girls; enhance the income generation opportunities and sustainable livelihoods of disadvantaged women and girls through skills training on Sewing, Beautician skills, Candle and Diya Making, Jewelry Making, Computer Classes, and Entrepreneurship Development; and ensure the ability to generate income to sustainable livelihood for the less fortunate women and through vocation skill training. 

The Heroes for Humanity program, initially launched in 2021 as a COIVD disaster relief initiative, has since adapted to deliver the Desai Foundation’s regular programming, including health screenings and camps, menstrual health education, vocational skill training, and more. Heroes, primarily women, are employed to work in their rural communities as agents of hope and change. They themselves earn a livelihood while promoting programs that provide opportunities for others to earn a livelihood.

This program has reached over 3 million individuals to date throughout 8 states in India. In the last three months alone, more than 4,830 individuals have engaged in computer courses, sewing workshops, beauty parlor training, candle and diya making, jewelry making, and more. Beneficiaries also receive training workshops on entrepreneurship and vocational skills training. 

Family members of participating beneficiaries also benefit indirectly through the generation of new income to their households. Indirect beneficiaries amounted to over 2.5 million in the last 3 months. As more people become aware of vocational training and its importance, employment abilities expand, and the economic conditions rise in the region and the nation.

Links:

• https://thedesaifoundation.org/