Habitat for Humanity India & Standard Chartered Bank project Empowers 1,104 Women

By: WE Staff | Thursday, 23 January 2025

• Empowering Women and Improving Life through Livelihood Interventions project helps 1,104 Women
• Rural Women in Maharashtra & Odisha empowered in Two Phases
• The project offers Livelihood Opportunities, Mentorship, and Seed Funding

Groundbreaking initiative driven by Habitat for Humanity India and Standard Chartered Bank had launched a project titled "Empowering Women and Improving Life through Livelihood Interventions" which empowered 1,104 women in rural Maharashtra and Odisha during its two phases.

The initiative provides essential skills, financial support, and market access to women from 85 self-help groups. It also offers mentorship, financial literacy, bookkeeping training, and awareness sessions on menstrual hygiene management.

During the initiative's first phase, the project provided livelihood opportunities to 969 women from 85 self-help groups in Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Odisha, enabling them to achieve financial independence. In the second phase, it strengthened 96 SHGs in several districts of Maharashtra and Odisha and provided support through mentorship, financial literacy, and awareness. The initiative empowered SHGs to start and scale micro-businesses in home-based crafts, agriculture, and agro-allied activities through targeted capacity-building programs, training, and seed-finding.

The project supports micro-businesses initiated by SHGs, including home-based and agriculture-based activities. 36 SHGs with 456 women in Maharashtra and 60 SHGs with 648 women in Odisha have established micro-enterprises, equipping women with leadership and technical skills, and promoting income generation for self-reliance and stability.

Mr. Anand Kumar Bolimera, National Director, of Habitat for Humanity India believes that empowering women is fundamental to building resilient and thriving communities.

Ms. Karuna Bhatia, Head of Sustainability, India, Standard Chartered Bank believes in fostering inclusive growth by empowering women to lead economically independent lives.