Empowered Women are the Basis of Viksit Bharat

Regarding Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited

Jeevika Nidhi is a cooperative financial organization at the state level created to assist women entrepreneurs in Bihar.

Goal: To offer prompt credit with reduced interest rates, minimizing reliance on microfinance institutions (MFIs) that impose 18%–24% charges.

Membership: Every registered federation of cluster-level Jeevika SHGs will be included in the Society.

Funding: The Central government and the Bihar Government will provide financial support.

Technology: The system is fully digital, allowing smooth loan transactions through mobile devices. Approximately 12,000 community leaders are being provided with tablets to enhance their operations.

In what ways do empowered women contribute to Viksit Bharat?

Economic Growth: Research indicates that bridging the gender gap in workforce involvement could contribute up to $770 billion (approximately. 18% of GDP) to the economy of India by 2025.

Entrepreneurship: SHGs and female-led businesses generate local employment, enhance rural demand, and foster sustainable enterprises, thus strengthening community development.

Education & Human Capital: Women who are educated and financially self-sufficient spend more on their children's education, enhancing literacy and skill development for future generations.

Health & Nutrition: Women with empowerment make improved household choices regarding health, sanitation, and nutrition, which enhances India’s social development metrics.

Governance & Democracy: Women leaders in Panchayati Raj bodies (with one-third of seats allocated for women) improve governance by focusing on matters such as water, health, and education.

Social Equity: Empowering women diminishes poverty, addresses social issues like child marriage, and promotes inclusive growth in line with Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.

Wider Government Efforts for Women

Financial Empowerment:

Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY – NRLM): 10.05 crore women have been organized into 90.90 lakh Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across the nation.

Namo Drone Didi Scheme (2023): Educating 15,000 women SHG members to manage drones for farming services.

Lakhpati Didi,

Didi the Drone,

Sakhi Bank.

Social Support & Well-being:

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY): Homes are registered in the names of women or jointly, boosting asset ownership and decision-making authority.

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana: More than 10 crore complimentary LPG connections granted, alleviating hardship and health hazards associated with conventional cooking fuels.

Wellness, Diet & Instruction:

Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY): Offers ₹5 lakh yearly health insurance for each family, minimizing out-of-pocket costs for women.

POSHAN Abhiyaan: Aims to decrease stunting, malnutrition, and anemia in women and children.

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana: A maternity assistance of ₹5,000 for income loss during pregnancy.

Empowerment in Politics and Society:

Women’s Reservation Bill 2023: Constitutional mandate for 33% reservations in Parliament and State Legislatures.

One Stop Centres: Over 700 centres functioning to aid women experiencing violence.

Path Forward

Enhance Women's Workforce Involvement: Develop additional flexible positions, encourage remote work opportunities, improve childcare services, and ensure secure commuting to elevate women's participation in the labor market.

Close Wage and Skill Divides: Implement equal pay legislation, increase vocational and digital training initiatives, and promote women's participation in high-growth areas such as STEM, the green economy, and defense manufacturing.