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As we navigate through an era defined by rapid, wide-reaching social, economic, and technological transformation, one undeniable truth remains: empowering women is not only a matter of justice and fundamental human rights but also a profoundly transformative force that drives global progress and sustainable development. Recognizing this powerful truth, we are proud to introduce this special edition, which is devoted entirely to the theme of Women’s Empowerment, Gender Equality, and the ambitious yet essential Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5). This goal stands at the heart of the global development agenda, aiming to eliminate gender disparities and empower every woman and girl, everywhere.
advocating for change, influencing public policy, and mobilizing action from the ground up. Businesses, in turn, must actively create inclusive workplace environments where women are supported and respected — with equal pay for equal work, equitable promotion paths, and flexible structures that accommodate work-life balance. Governments must go beyond symbolic gestures and demonstrate their commitment by implementing, upholding, and enforcing legislation that protects women’s rights, ensures safety, and provides access to necessary resources and services.
SDG 5 calls on us—urgently and unequivocally—to dismantle all forms of discrimination, violence, and harmful practices directed against women and girls. But achieving true gender equality extends far beyond merely addressing wage gaps or increasing female representation in politics. It necessitates a comprehensive approach that ensures women enjoy equal access to quality education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and leadership roles. Reaching this goal requires us to challenge and transform long-standing cultural norms, confront deeply entrenched gender stereotypes, and remove systemic barriers that inhibit progress. It demands a cultural shift toward a society where every woman and girl, regardless of her socioeconomic status, ethnicity, religion, or geographical location, has the tools and support she needs to thrive and succeed.
For centuries, the invaluable contributions of women have often been ignored or minimized, their potential sidelined, and their talents underutilized. Yet, today, we stand at a pivotal moment of change. Across the globe, from grassroots organizations to executive boardrooms, and from small towns to major global summits, women are stepping into positions of power, challenging the status quo, and becoming catalysts for meaningful transformation. Despite this growing momentum and the tangible gains made over recent decades, we remain a significant distance from realizing true gender parity.
The road ahead requires more than just well-meaning policies — it calls for coordinated, sustained action from every sector of society, including civil society organizations, private enterprises, educational institutions, and national and local governments. Importantly, this is not a struggle that women must face alone. Achieving gender equality is a collective responsibility that demands solidarity and support from all corners of society — including men and boys. We need allies in leadership and grassroots positions alike.
Non-governmental organizations play a vital role by raising awareness,
This special edition serves as both a timely reminder and a powerful call to action. Gender equality is not some distant aspiration — it is a concrete, achievable goal that requires our shared determination and collaboration. The task at hand is not limited to developing new laws or policies; it is also about transforming mindsets, challenging outdated assumptions, and envisioning a better, more just world. Let this edition inspire those in positions of influence and motivate every woman who is striving to make a difference, whether in her community, her workplace, or the world at large.
Together, we can break down the remaining barriers, build new pathways, and spark longlasting change. Let us rise to the occasion — not only to meet the moment but to shape a future where gender equality is not just a hopeful ideal, but a reality lived by all. As we advance this mission, let us unite in challenging limitations, unlocking potential, and driving global transformation. . The time for action is not tomorrow — it is now.
By Arvind Sen
Despite constituting nearly 48.4 per cent of India’s population, women remain significantly underrepresented in the country’s workforce, with female labour force participation hovering around just 20 per cent. Of those employed, a staggering 80 per cent are engaged in informal or unpaid sectors—often devoid of financial stability, social security, or access to healthcare. These vulnerabilities are compounded by systemic challenges including limited educational and healthcare access, restricted mobility, and heightened exposure to genderbased violence.
These interlinked barriers underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions that empower women economically and socially. As India aspires towards inclusive growth, the onus lies not just on governments, but on the private sector to drive tangible change. By investing in women—whether through skills training, entrepreneurship support, or inclusive workplace policies— corporates can play a pivotal role in dismantling barriers and unlocking the full potential of India’s female workforce.
In this special edition on women empowerment, The Bridge focuses on the unique initiatives of three influential corporates operating in the country
Walmart Foundation:
Strengthening Rural Economies Through Women Farmers
In India, The Walmart Foundation is championing gender equality
in agriculture through its Market Access Program—an initiative that strengthens rural economies by enhancing market participation of women smallholder farmers.
Operating across nine Indian states, the program has already reached over 800,000 farmers since 2018, with more than half being women.
Aiming to empower one million farmers by 2028—at least 50 per cent of whom will be women—the Foundation has invested over US$ 39 million in building sustainable farmer networks via 500+ Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Groups (FPGs).
Among the key projects is PROWFIT, implemented by PRADAN, which supports 60 womenled FPOs in Eastern India—engaging 120,000 women farmers from tribal and smallholder backgrounds. These efforts foster leadership, financial literacy, and collective
Telangana. The initiative integrates productivity tools, market access, and resilience-building services in partnership with private sector players.
women uplifts entire communities,” states Mr. Gajanan S. Kale, Chief Executive Officer of Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited.
self-worth,” Mr. Kale explains.
bargaining power.
Under Project UDAAN, ACCESS Development Services works with 20 FPOs, including six women-led collectives, to enhance inclusive value chains for over 12,000 farmers—more than half of whom are women.
Srijan’s intervention in Madhya Pradesh further exemplifies sustainable empowerment. By organizing 12 FPOs and over 25,000 farmers—including 15,000 women—the project helps generate additional income through value addition. In a compelling example, 1,300 women from Amarkantak Horticulture Producer Company established a millet processing unit, raising their product value from ₹27/kg (raw) to ₹80/kg (processed). Meanwhile, Mercy Corps is enhancing digital financial inclusion for 100,000 women farmers in Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and
“We are seeing women emerge as decision-makers and changemakers in their communities,” remarks Julie Gehrki, Vice President, COO, Walmart Foundation. “Our partnerships with grassroots organizations are catalysing longterm, systemic change for rural women across India.”
Tata Power-DDL: Lighting the Path to Empowerment
Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (Tata Power-DDL), a leading name in India’s power distribution sector, is redefining the contours of Corporate Social Responsibility by placing gender equality at the heart of its mission. With a strong emphasis on Sustainable Development Goal 5— Gender Equality—the company has embedded women’s empowerment into the fabric of its operations.
“Women’s empowerment is not merely a part of our CSR framework—it is a strategic imperative integral to sustainable development. We firmly believe that empowering
One of the standout initiatives is ABHA, a community engagement program that has transformed nearly 1,000 women into grassroots ambassadors for change. These trained representatives promote the company’s CSR initiatives across underserved communities, acting as catalysts for social transformation.
Under the Unnati vertical, Tata Power-DDL has operationalized 23 Vocational Training Centres (VTCs), offering women employable skills in domains such as Tally & GST, domestic data entry, tailoring, and beauty care. Over 2,500 women have been trained through this initiative, many of whom have transitioned into income-generating roles.
“We aim to enable women to see themselves not only as earners but as leaders and changemakers within their communities.”
Further strengthening its outreach, the company supports over 250 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) through an Entrepreneurship Development Program that equips women with skills in handloom weaving, jute craft, chocolate-making, and more. A notable outcome is the establishment of a dedicated Handloom Unit in Shalimar Bagh, providing sustainable livelihood to 100 women artisans.
“Our women-centric programs are designed to instil not just skills, but also a sense of purpose and
Through its Women Literacy Centres, the company has empowered over 1.5 lakh women with basic education, while its I Love Science campaign under the Club Enerji program promotes STEM learning among girls—a significant stride toward inclusivity in the energy sector.
A signatory to the UN Women’s
Empowerment Principles (WEPs), Tata Power-DDL actively utilizes tools like the WEPs GAP Analysis Tool to shape its strategies. Technological innovation is integrated with inclusivity, evidenced by the launch of three all-women Customer Care Centres in Delhi—entirely managed by skilled female professionals.
“For us, innovation is meaningful only when it is inclusive. Whether it’s through all-women customer care centres or community-based tech outreach, our use of technology is geared towards creating access and opportunities for all,” Mr. Kale notes.
Internally, the company nurtures an inclusive workplace culture with 13.3 per cent of leadership roles held by women. Initiatives like WILL (Women in Leadership League), and partnerships with ADB and USAID’s Engendering Utilities Program, underscore its commitment to nurturing female talent, especially in technical fields.
Forward-thinking policies, such as extended parental leaves, flexiwork options, and Single Parent support, further enhance its progressive outlook.
“True workplace equality requires us to acknowledge and address the unique challenges that women face,” affirms Mr. Kale. “Our policies reflect this understanding, offering a supportive environment that enables our female workforce to thrive professionally and personally.”
Tata Power-DDL’s transformative impact has earned it national recognition, including the Jury Choice Award for Vocational Training (ICC Social Impact Awards), the Platinum Award for Diversity and Inclusion (CII HR Circle 2024), and the Best Practice Award for Handloom (Tata Affirmative Action Conclave 2025).
“At Tata Power-DDL, we do more than power homes—we power aspirations,” Mr. Kale concludes. “Our commitment to
building is evident through its SHG Training and Quality Assessment Centre, which conducted 271 sessions in FY 2023–24, equipping over 2,500 women with managerial and technical skills essential for operating micro-businesses.
Today, these SHGs run 9 khakhra production units and a diverse array of other ventures—ranging from wooden toys and bakery products to aloe vera and jute goods, milk processing, and bio-pesticide production. A dedicated warehouse in Mahuva supports logistics, inventory, and sales, boosting the annual turnover of SHG-run businesses to ₹1.94 crore—a 59% increase over the previous year.
To mark International Women’s Day, Pidilite celebrated the achievements of its SHG entrepreneurs, felicitating 48 outstanding women in front of a crowd of over 1,800 participants.
Additionally, the company is ad-
vancing solar-powered textile units, modernizing spinning, weaving, and dyeing processes to improve profitability for rural fabric producers— thus merging traditional crafts with future-ready solutions.
India’s journey toward achieving gender equality, particularly in the labour force, remains complex and multifaceted. While statistics reflect a stark underrepresentation of women in formal employment and persistent structural barriers, they also underscore the critical need— and immense potential—for focused interventions.
Encouragingly, corporates such as the Walmart Foundation, Tata Power-DDL, and Pidilite Industries are stepping up as catalysts for change. Through innovative, community-based programs, these organizations are not only enabling
skill development and economic participation for women but are also transforming them into leaders and entrepreneurs within their own right.
From empowering smallholder farmers and grassroots entrepreneurs to establishing all-women technology hubs and advancing financial inclusion, these initiatives reflect a deep commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality. More importantly, they exemplify how the private sector can be a powerful force in creating inclusive, resilient, and empowered communities.
As India looks ahead, it is clear that bridging the gender divide will require collective approach— where corporations, communities, and policymakers work in tandem. By investing in women today, the country lays the foundation for a more equitable, prosperous, and sustainable tomorrow.
social responsibility is anchored in a future where every woman has the tools, the confidence, and the platform to realise her full potential.”
Pidilite Industries: Building Women-Led Enterprises from the Ground Up Pidilite Industries is creating a robust ecosystem for rural women entrepreneurs through the establishment and strengthening of Self-Help Groups (SHGs). In FY 2023–24 alone, the company facilitated the formation of 304 new SHGs across Gujarat’s Bhavnagar and Amreli districts, onboarding over 3,200 new members. This brings their total to 1,052 SHGs with a combined membership of over 11,100 women. These groups act as both a support system and a launchpad—providing financial credit, fostering microentrepreneurship, and enabling women to weather household economic uncertainties.
Pidilite’s commitment to capacity-
Dr. Imtiaz
Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of One Billion Literates Foundation (OBLF). A seasoned leader in the social impact space, Dr. Imtiaz brings with him over two decades of distinguished experience in driving large-scale strategy, systems design, and implementation across some of India’s most respected development organizations. Trained as a physician and holding a postgraduate degree in Public Health from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, Dr. Imtiaz blends clinical expertise with deep sectoral insight — a combination that has powered transformative programs at national scale.
Prior to joining OBLF, he served as Mission Head at HelpAge India, where he led nationwide program design and execution for seven years. His leadership journey also includes impactful tenures at the LV Prasad Eye Institute and Sankara Eye Foundation, where he was instrumental in scaling access to healthcare for underserved communities.
Throughout his career, Dr. Imtiaz has worked closely with government bodies, public health institutions, and policy think tanks, advancing critical advocacy efforts and shaping public health discourse across India.
As CEO, Dr. Imtiaz brings a visionary approach, a commitment to equity, and a deep understanding of systemic change — qualities that will guide OBLF into its next phase of growth and impact.
On International Women’s Day 2025, the Government of India hosted “Nari Shakti Se Viksit Bharat” at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Led by the Ministry of Women & Child Development, the event was inaugurated by Hon’ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu. President Murmu highlighted that a developed India is only possible when women are empowered to lead and succeed. The conference celebrated women’s achievements through a short film, a book launch, and a cultural performance. Participants included women from the armed forces, police,
grassroots organizations, and global agencies like UN Women and UNICEF. Union Ministers reaffirmed India’s constitutional commitment to gender equality and the need for collective action.
Three technical sessions spotlighted women leaders in STEM, business, and governance, with a focus on financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, and political participation. A digital media zone showcased women’s contributions, and the event was livestreamed nationwide. The conference underlined India’s resolve to build a Viksit Bharat powered by Nari Shakti.
The RISE PECOWorld Summit 2025 (RPS25) united changemakers from 84 countries for its 12th edition, themed “Think Different, Act Together.” Curated by RISE Infinity Foundation and Idobro Impact Solutions, the Summit drove systems thinking and collective action across 120+ sessions and 109 partner organizations. The RISE Values—Responsible, Inclusive,
Sustainable, Ecosystem-Friendly— were championed by global women leaders like Mikiko Tanaka (UN ESCAP) and Dr. Tina Opie (Shared Sisterhood), setting the tone for bold conversations on SDGs, CSR, ESG, Systems Thinking, and DEI. Highlights included cultural showcases, sustainable initiatives like the RISE Forest plantation, and inspiring mentoring sessions. DEI took centre stage, challenging corporate
norms and reframing CSR as a tool forequity. The RISE Awards 2025 honoured legends like Julio Ribeiro and global citizens Wadiaa Khoury and Professor Gregory Booth. Jack Sim (World Toilet Organization) summed it up: “Change starts with one step, one voice, one action.” As Convenor Karon Shaiva said, “RISE is not a conference—it’s a movement.” The journey from purpose to impact has only just begun.
Women’s empowerment is not merely a term or a movement; it is a struggle that women have fought for their fundamental rights, including equality. India has made significant progress in improving the status of women, evolving from a time when they were not allowed to show their faces to a society where women now have the freedom to live life on their own terms.
Let’s familiarize ourselves with the key government schemes for women and take advantage of their benefits if one qualifies.
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana
The Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) was launched by
the Honourable Prime Minister of India on April 8, 2015, to enhance the capabilities of small businesses and non-farming sectors. The scheme offers collateral-free loans of up to Rs. 10 lakh to marginal borrowers and new entrepreneurs, categorized into Shishu, Kishore, and Tarun. These loans help meet working capital needs and acquire machinery without the need to provide any security, offering significant benefits to the borrowers.
One Step Centre Scheme
The central government introduced the One Step Centre Scheme to safeguard women from both physical and mental violence. The scheme aims to provide protection for women experiencing violence and offer comprehensive support to victims through medical and psychological care.
Namo Drone Didi Scheme
The Namo Drone Didi Yojana empowers women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to engage in agricultural practices using drones. Under this program, 15,000 drones will be distributed, and women will receive training not only in operating and repairing the drones
but also in using them for farming and other agricultural activities. This initiative aims to promote sustainable income and modern farming techniques.
Pradhan Mantri Matru
Vandana Yojana
Launched in 2017, the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana provides financial assistance to pregnant women expecting their first child, as well as to lactating mothers. The scheme’s main objective is to support the health and well-being of both women and children during these critical phases of their lives.
Mission Indradhanush
Mission Indradhanush is a government initiative launched on December 25, 2014, aimed at ensuring that children and pregnant women receive essential life-saving vaccines. The mission targets those who have been missed or partially vaccinated against preventable diseases. The vaccinations cover critical diseases such as tuberculosis, measles, rubella, polio, and more. The initiative focuses on providing immunization to children who have not received these services, ensuring they are fully protected.
Ujjwala Yojana
The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala
Yojana was launched to provide LPG connections to rural households and those Below the Poverty Line. The scheme aims to replace traditional cooking fuels with LPG by offering gas cylinders. Additionally, it ensures that the LPG connections are registered in the name of women in the household. This initiative also simplifies the lives of women who previously had to endure the hardships of collecting firewood for cooking.
Mahila e-Haat
Mahila e-Haat is a government initiative launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to assist women entrepreneurs in creating a market for their products and realizing their aspirations. Through the platform, women can showcase their goods online and build a customer base for their products. The website has been developed with the support of the Rashtriya Mahila Kosh.
Working Women Hostel Scheme
This government scheme was created to offer affordable and safe housing options for women working in urban, semi-urban, and rural areas. It also includes daycare facilities, allowing women to leave their children in care while they are at work.
Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP)
The Government of India introduced the Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP), managed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. This scheme aims to provide women with various resources to improve their skills through training and guide them towards employment opportunities.
In conclusion, women’s empowerment in India is no longer just a concept—it’s a visible transformation driven by resilience, policy reforms, and inclusive initiatives. The government’s dedication to uplifting women is evident through these diverse schemes, each tailored to address specific needs, from financial independence and safety to health, education, and entrepreneurship. As citizens, recognizing and utilizing these programs not only benefits individual women but also strengthens the broader social and economic fabric of the nation. By spreading awareness and encouraging eligible beneficiaries to take advantage of these opportunities, we move one step closer to building an equitable and empowered society for all.
By The Bridge India Correspondent
In 2015, I touched clay for the very first time — unaware that this humble, earthen medium would become the catalyst for my transformation. What started as a flicker of curiosity ignited into a powerful, soul-deep calling. It became a journey not just of creation, but of healing, growth, and empowerment — for myself, and for others.
“Clay taught me what life rarely does — to be patient with the process, kind to my mistakes, and bold in my expression.”
— Monica Tripathi, Founder of TheMittiMagic
Pottery became my greatest teacher. It taught me to embrace the beauty of imperfections and trust in my own hands. With each curve, each carve, I found quiet strength and fierce resilience. These lessons shaped the heart of The Mitti Magic — a space where creativity flows freely, and where women, children, and communities find connection, expression, and joy.
From showcasing my work at esteemed venues like Triveni Kala Sangam, Sanskriti Kendra, and AIFACS Art Gallery, to leading community art events and pottery festivals, every milestone has reinforced one truth:
“Art is not confined to galleries. It lives, breathes, and belongs in the hands of everyday people — especially those who never thought they were artists.”
— Monica Tripathi At The Mitti Magic, I work with people from all walks of life — from five-year-olds discovering the
magic of clay, to women reigniting dreams they once set aside. Every workshop is a celebration of courage, of self-discovery, and of the magic that already lives within us.
Today, alongside crafting collections of hand-built ceramic roses, wheelthrown vases, and slip-decorated pieces, I share this passion as a visiting faculty member and through collaborations across the country.
“To every woman holding back
her creativity — you are not too late, not too small, not too broken. Your hands can shape wonder. Trust them.”
— Monica Tripathi The Mitti Magic is more than just a studio. It’s a story of shaping dreams from earth and heart — and my hope is that it lights the spark in you to shape yours too.
Women-centric NGOs play a vital role in addressing gender inequalities and empowering women across various spheres of life. These NGOs focus on promoting women’s rights, education, health, economic independence, leadership, and protection from violence and discrimination. Rooted in community engagement and advocacy, women-centric NGOs serve as catalysts for social change, creating safe spaces for dialogue, support, and skill-building. Whether working at the grassroots level or on a global stage, NGOs help amplify women’s voices and ensure their contributions are recognized, valued, and sustained in building inclusive and equitable societies.
In a country as diverse and complex as India, grassroots initiatives led by women for women continue to play a pivotal role in redefining the social fabric. From the dusty roads of Karnataka to the hinterlands of Rajasthan, and the evolving urban consciousness of Bengaluru, organizations like Buzz Women, Vimochana, and SPECTRA are scripting powerful narratives of inclusion, empowerment, and justice.
These initiatives don’t just aim to transform lives—they strive to reconstruct the societal frameworks that perpetuate exclusion, inequality, and silence. Through education, advocacy, and resilience, the non-governmental organisations are building ecosystems where women become architects of their own destinies.
Since 2012, Buzz Women has taken empowerment literally to the doorstep of rural women. With operations spread across India, The Gambia, and the Netherlands, the Bengaluruheadquartered NGO operates a unique model of mobile schools—buses that travel into villages to bring education and transformation to communities otherwise left behind.
Buzz Women’s mission is rooted in a deep belief: “We don’t empower women. They empower themselves.” Under the leadership of Uthara Narayanan, Co-founder and Chief Changemaker, the organisation works with what it calls the 4Cs framework—Confidence, Cash, Climate, and Community.
The focus is as layered as it is local. While confidence-building and financial literacy remain foundational, climate awareness and collective strength form the bedrock of long-term resilience. With a team of 165 trainers, staff, and facilitators, Buzz Women’s model has reached over 7,000 villages in Karnataka alone. Every village forms a “Buzz
If Buzz Women builds from the inside out, Vimochana begins at the margins and confronts from the outside in. Established in 1979, Vimochana emerged as a key player in India’s autonomous women’s movement, unflinchingly asserting that “the personal is political.” For over four decades, it has been on the frontlines of India’s fight against gender-based violence.
Angala’s work continues to be community-led, intersectional, and unrelenting in its pursuit of dignity for all women—regardless of class, caste, or geography.
and entrepreneurship—especially targeting rural women. These programs are bolstered through partnerships with organisations like the Let’z Dream Foundation and NABARD enabling women to earn sustainable incomes and lead community enterprises.
Beehive”—a self-sustaining learning group led by elected anchor women who guide peer learning and community mobilisation.
And unlike many development models, Buzz Women neither provides nor expects financial incentives. “We give tools, not loans,” explains Narayanan. Women are trained to manage their existing resources better, rethink spending, and invest in thei futures. Through collaborations with local NGOs, microfinance institutions, and government agencies, the model ensures deeper grassroots penetration without duplicating efforts.
The result? Women who once hesitated to step outside their homes now manage small businesses, lead savings groups, and mentor others. From financial independence to environmental stewardship, Buzz Women’s impact is sparking change at the most personal and collective levels.
Vimochana-The Politics of Resistance Vimochana emerged as a key
At its heart, Vimochana is more than just a crisis centre—it is a movement. One that seeks not only to assist survivors of domestic abuse, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking, but also to dismantle the systemic, political, and cultural machinery that enables such violence. “Our aim is not just to help women survive violence, but to end it altogether,” the organisation affirms.
Led by the visionary Corrine Kumar, Vimochana has always championed the voices left out of mainstream discourse—particularly the subaltern. “We have been invisible-ised,” Kumar declared during one of Marmara’s public gatherings—an initiative that gives voice to the silent murmurs of women through political and cultural dialogues held under trees in villages across Karnataka.
Launched in 2014, Marmara (named after the Kannada word for “tree”) is both a metaphor and a method. These grassroots forums are spaces for reflection, resistance, and radical reimagination—where women, children, Dalits, Adivasis, and the homeless speak not just about violence but about what justice could look like in a system that has failed them.
Earlier, in 1993, Vimochana established Angala (The Courtyard), a women’s crisis intervention centre that offers holistic legal, social, and emotional support to survivors.
In the arid plains of Alwar, Rajasthan, the Society for Public Education Cultural Training and Rural Action (SPECTRA) has spent the last 25 years working in some of India’s most underserved villages. Founded in 1996-97, the organisation stands out for its unwavering commitment to democratic, community-driven development.
With a mission that spans education, gender justice, natural resource management, and sustainable livelihoods, SPECTRA works at the intersection of policy gaps and grassroots potential. “The community doesn’t need handouts; it needs handholding,” says Pradeep Singh Pundhir, Director of SPECTRA.
One of the flagship initiatives under this philosophy is the Girl Child Education Program, run in partnership with IIMPACT since 2013. Operating 161 learning centres across Rajasthan and Haryana, the initiative seeks to reintegrate girls who’ve dropped out of school, often due to child marriage, poverty, or domestic responsibilities. By aligning with community stakeholders and public schooling systems, the program has seen substantial success in increasing enrolment and retention.
Beyond education, SPECTRA has designed multi-pronged programs in agriculture, animal husbandry,
Over the years, SPECTRA has engaged with over 182,000 families in 450 villages, supporting them through interventions in health, sanitation, water access, adolescent rights, and livelihood security. It is, in essence, creating ecosystems of change where the community is not just a beneficiary—but the main actor.
Collective Momentum, Diverse Approaches
Though their methods differ, what binds Buzz Women, Vimochana, and SPECTRA is a shared belief in agency, equity, and transformation.
While Buzz Women rolls into villages with mobile classrooms of empowerment, Vimochana plants seeds of dialogue under trees and in courtrooms. SPECTRA, meanwhile, builds long-term rural resilience through education and economic inclusion.
In a development landscape often cluttered with top-down models and donor-driven mandates, these organisations represent a breath of grounded, people-centric action. They don’t just address symptoms— they challenge root causes. They don’t speak for women—they amplify women’s voices. They don’t create dependency—they build capacity.
As India navigates the choppy waters of social change, climate shifts, economic disparity, and gender injustice, these grassroots movements offer not only a counternarrative but a roadmap. A roadmap built not by policy papers but by lived experience, collective action, and a resolute belief: real change begins from the ground up.
