India is at the cusp of a transformational journey to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2030. However, this growth must be inclusive and equitable, benefitting all members of the community. This growth momentum is fuelled by our demographic dividend – 65% of our population is under the age of 35 – that is slated to grow over the next two decades as our share of the working-age population reaches 59% of our total population.
It is important that all our constituents, across geographies and gender, participate and contribute to this economic advancement. However, as per a study, 233 million rural women of the working-age population are out of the workforce. This corroborates a broader fact that women’s contribution to the country’s GDP is low at 18% compared to other countries such as Japan (at 33%) and China (at 41%).
Our journey towards women's economic empowerment is rooted in the understanding that when women prosper, societies flourish. It is about acknowledging the inherent strength, resilience, and wisdom that women bring to every facet of life. When we empower a woman economically, we are not only uplifting an individual but laying the foundation for an entire community to rise.
Our journey towards women's economic empowerment is rooted in the understanding that when women prosper, societies flourish. It is about acknowledging the inherent strength, resilience, and wisdom that women bring to every facet of life. When we empower a woman economically, we are not only uplifting an individual but laying the foundation for an entire community to rise.
About the program
Various reports highlight the correlation between women’s economic empowerment and their power and agency, better health and education for their children, and sustained well-being for the family. It is projected that India can add 400 billion USD to their GDP by ensuring equal working opportunities for men and women. This provides a significant opportunity for social sector leaders to partner with rural women as they initiate or catalyze their journeys towards economic empowerment.
At JSW Foundation, we believe that rural women-led enterprises can significantly unlock economic growth not only for herself but for the community and the country at large.
Our Vision
JSW Vaani aims to catalyze economic empowerment journeys for two million existing and aspiring rural women entrepreneurs pan-India by enabling improved incomes and agency through a collaborative model. This model is powered by a digital platform (AI-supported, micro services enabled, voice and dialect friendly) and supported by a skilled and equipped cadre of trusted advisors and local organizations on the ground.
Our Approach
Our flagship is focused on a network approach to enable customized, proximate, and relevant service delivery for women entrepreneurs across their entire business lifecycle. The program aims at bringing together grassroots level implementers and primary stakeholders (not having an online presence and thus deprived of the advantages of technology and IT enabled opportunities) and various institutions and government initiatives, which are tech-enabled, wanting to be connected with the grassroots. This network would be enabled by the digital platform and a skilled on-ground cadre of trusted advisors and organisations.
Through a series of consultative workshops, we learned that many inputs are required for a successful entrepreneurial journey at different stages of the enterprise lifecycle. Hence, we focus on the entire entrepreneurship journey of a woman to ensure that she gets the appropriate services, in a comprehensive, inclusive, customizable and accessible format.
Contact:
To collaborate with us or to know more about JSW Vaani,
Please write to siddhi.sanghvi@jsw.in and v_vanita.shrivastava@jsw.in
