- Mother of an autistic child, Swathi Nelabhatla works as a tech professional
- She has personal experience with the difficulties faced by working women
- Many working women have degrees and are skilled in the arts and professions
Tech professional Swathi Nelabhatla has created the Sitha App, which is India’s First Women-Exclusive Gig Platform. Accessible on iOS and android, women professionals can display their specialized skills on the app, which include music, interior design, wellness, coding, and art, among other things.
Swathi realized that despite having equal or even better skills, women frequently aren't able to take advantage of the opportunities that are readily available to men in the tech-driven gig economy. Swathi, a tech entrepreneur today, saw this need and created the Sitha App.
Because of rigid work schedules, career pauses, or personal obligations, millions of competent women continue to be underemployed. By offering flexible opportunities in both technical and non-technical fields—including home services, teaching, legal consulting, wellness, travel, and digital gigs—Sitha hopes to close the gap between the more than 200 million Indian women looking for meaningful work.
"There isn't a platform that genuinely addresses the special needs of women. Many professionals and artists lack a means of making money from their expertise. This problem is resolved by the Sitha App," Swathi told Business Line. This is Swathi’s second endeavor aimed at empowering women. SheJobs, her first project, helps women in technology find jobs.
"Sitha stands out as India's first women-exclusive gig marketplace with features like structured onboarding, AI-powered gig matching, secure payment systems, and strong support for skill development," she said.
According to Swathi, SheJobs, which was first introduced in the United States five years ago before branching out to India, now has a database of almost 100,000 women. Sitha helps women monetize a wider range of skills, while SheJobs primarily focuses on tech roles. Women outside of the tech industry, such as those with skills like tailoring, provided feedback that led to the creation of Sitha, she explained.
Regardless of their primary occupation, users can list their skills, connect with potential clients, and earn money on their own terms by determining their own rates and working hours using the app.
The platform allows users to sell goods like jewelry, handcrafted paintings, and sarees in addition to services.
