Reliance Foundation, Estee Lauder Foundation Aim to Empower 1M Girls

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Wednesday, 14 October 2026

Reliance Foundation and The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Estée Lauder Companies, have launched a multi-year partnership to empower one million girls and young women across India.

The initiative will target girls and young women aged 14 to 20 in rural and urban communities, focusing on building confidence and essential life skills. It will initially be implemented in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, with plans for future expansion.

The program will also strengthen digital and financial literacy and provide guidance on education, training and livelihood opportunities, helping participants make informed decisions about their futures.

Key Highlights:

• The partnership aims to empower one million girls and young women across India
• The two-year program will begin in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh
• It will focus on life skills, digital literacy, financial literacy and career opportunities

Speaking on the partnership, Isha Ambani, Director, Reliance Foundation, said, “I believe every girl should have the confidence to dream big, the courage to lead, and the opportunity to fulfill her aspirations. I am delighted that through this partnership, Reliance Foundation and The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation are uniting to equip one million girls and young women with the resilience they need to realize their full potential — igniting a powerful transformation that extends from the individual to her household and to the entire community."

Stephane de La Faverie, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Estée Lauder Companies, and President, The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation, added: “We are proud to partner with Reliance Foundation to create more opportunities for girls and young women in India that will build the skills they need to participate and thrive in the modern workforce. The Estée Lauder Companies was founded by an extraordinary woman entrepreneur, and today, women represent more than 80% of our global workforce. We know the tremendous impact that women can have when they have the opportunity to learn, lead and build their own futures. We are excited to work together to help more women and girls realize their potential and shape what comes next.”

The program connects two organisations with a common interest in accelerating progress for women and girls. It coincides with the unprecedented opportunity to the economic growth of India and when women's involvement in the labor force will be a crucial factor for change.

Dubai Cares is convinced of the transformative potential of girls. Through targeted efforts over the past ten years, since 2010, Empowering Women Reliance Foundation has been improving access to education, sports and livelihoods, thereby creating agency for women and girls in general.

This is also a continuation of The Estée Lauder Companies' longstanding philanthropy towards India. The Estée Lauder Companies and its Charitable Foundation have worked with local non-government organizations in India for over 20 years, helping women and girls to flourish and progress in health, education and entrepreneurship.

The program, which is a joint offering from the Reliance Foundation and The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation, will center on enhancing girls' life skills, digital and financial literacy, and decision-making skills. It is designed to help develop their confidence, leadership and skills in dealing with social and cultural issues relating to their safety, education, mobility and career prospects.

The initiative will also disseminate information on future pathways related to education, livelihoods and employment and entrepreneurship, so that girls will gain insight into the opportunities they have at their disposal. The curriculum and learning resources are being supported by non-profit organization Girl Effect, who have extensive experience in the field of empowering girls.

The two-year program will include training (in-person and digital), capacity building and implementation activities in partnership with grassroots partners. Reliance Foundation and The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation hope this program will increase opportunities and encourage the empowerment of women and girls.