Empowering Women through the Lakhpati Didi Initiative
Context:
In a recent high-level meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, the progress toward achieving the dream of creating 2 crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’ in India was reviewed.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Government Policies and Interventions)
Lakhpati Didi Initiative:
The Lakhpati Didi Initiative was officially launched by the Prime Minister on August 15, 2023. The primary objective of this initiative is to empower women in rural areas by assisting them in establishing micro-enterprises within their villages.
- The government aims to train a staggering two crore women through this program.
- This initiative is particularly focused on women who are members of self-help groups (SHGs), with the aim of helping them achieve a sustainable annual income of at least Rs 1 lakh per household.
- The execution of the Lakhpati Didi Initiative falls under the purview of DAY-NRLM, which stands for Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission.
- The approach is to encourage SHG households to engage in various livelihood activities alongside value chain interventions, ultimately securing an annual income of Rs 1 lakh or more.
- Women under this scheme receive training in a variety of skills, including plumbing, LED bulb manufacturing, drone operation and repair, as well as tailoring and weaving. This diverse training equips women with valuable skills they can utilize for income generation.
- Upon completing their training, women gain access to income-generating opportunities that make use of the skills they have acquired. This not only empowers them economically but also contributes to the overall economic growth of rural areas.
- The Ministry of Rural Development adopts a comprehensive approach to ensure maximum impact through convergence. This approach aims to transform the rural economy and enable the emergence of ‘Lakhpati Didis,’ who are self-reliant and financially secure.
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission:
- The Mission, launched by the Ministry of Rural Development in June 2011, is a centrally sponsored program. Its central goal is to eliminate rural poverty by promoting various livelihoods and improving access to financial services for poor households across the country.
- This mission aims to promote sustainable livelihoods for the rural poor, helping them break free from the clutches of poverty. It operates by facilitating access to formal credit, supporting livelihood diversification, and granting access to entitlements and public services.
- One of the unique aspects of DAY-NRLM is its approach of working with community institutions through community professionals. This involves organizing one woman member from each rural poor household into Self Help Groups (SHGs), providing training and capacity building, enabling them to implement their livelihood plans, and access financial resources from their institutions and banks.
- Implemented in a mission mode, DAY-NRLM utilizes special purpose vehicles, or autonomous state societies, with dedicated support units at the national, state, district, and block levels. This approach ensures continuous support and guidance to every rural poor family, ultimately transforming their lives.
Conclusion:
The Lakhpati Didi Initiative and DAY-NRLM reflect the government’s commitment to empowering rural women and alleviating poverty. This approach not only equips women with skills and income opportunities but also contributes to the holistic development of rural areas, bringing self-reliance and financial security to countless households.
