Shakti.ism - a women's empowerment initiative

Aim

Empower women from marginalised communities in India, particularly those at risk of being impacted by gender-based violence

I am launching a social enterprise to empower women from marginalised communities in India, especially those at risk of being impacted by gender-based violence. The programme will provide an opportunity to gain employable and transferable skills, the chance to earn a fair living wage and not rely solely on the income of males in their households, will provide fair working conditions, a safe supportive space, and support to encourage entrepreneurship to break the cycle of poverty.

As a true social business, profits will be invested back into the beneficiaries to ensure good working conditions are maintained, to allow for additional training and benefits, and to allow more women to take part in the programme. I hope to include more women and expand on positive impact.

I am partnering with existing NGOs in India which work with women in marginalised communities, and to focus on marketing their existing skills, of which they have many.  The idea is to preserve their skills and traditions, sell their beautiful creations and empower them to become self-sustainable, have ownership of their earnings, and maintain their independence. I’d like to use locally sourced fabrics which would otherwise be thrown away for the products which will be created (for example, using donated traditional Indian saris to create bags and other products). 

This programme will provide these women an opportunity to gain employable and transferable skills, the chance to earn an income and achieve financial independence, fair wages, job security and employment benefits.

This project successfully funded on 18th December 2019