{"id":27500,"date":"2024-03-08T09:23:12","date_gmt":"2024-03-08T03:53:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.instamojo.com\/blog\/?p=27500"},"modified":"2024-03-08T09:23:12","modified_gmt":"2024-03-08T03:53:12","slug":"hernomics-how-are-we-including-women-in-indias-digital-growth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.instamojo.com\/blog\/hernomics-how-are-we-including-women-in-indias-digital-growth\/","title":{"rendered":"HERnomics: How are we including women in India’s digital growth?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In both urban and rural contexts, digitization has been instrumental in advancing the empowerment of women, aligning with the theme of International Women’s Day 2024: “Invest in women: Accelerate progress.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

By investing in digital literacy programs, improving internet connectivity in remote areas, and addressing cultural barriers, society can accelerate progress towards gender equality and women’s empowerment.<\/p>\n

Empowering women through digitization not only enhances their economic opportunities but also fosters their participation in decision-making processes, promotes inclusive growth, and drives overall societal advancement.<\/p>\n

It is crucial for us to prioritize investments in women’s digital inclusion to unleash their full potential and achieve sustainable development goals.<\/p>\n

How does digital inclusion help empower women?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Economic Independence<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Digitization has provided women in urban areas with opportunities to become financially independent. They can now explore various online avenues such as eCommerce, freelancing, blogging, and digital marketing to generate income from the comfort of their homes.<\/p>\n

Related read: 20 successful business ideas for women in India<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Entrepreneurship<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Online platforms have lowered barriers to entry for women entrepreneurs in urban areas. They can easily start their businesses with minimal capital investment by leveraging eCommerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, or setting up their own online stores.<\/a><\/p>\n

Access to Markets<\/strong><\/h4>\n

For women in rural areas, digitization has bridged the gap between remote locations and markets. Online platforms allow them to sell handmade crafts<\/a>, agricultural produce, and other goods directly to consumers.<\/p>\n

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Financial Inclusion<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Many women in rural areas lacked access to formal banking services. However, digitization has facilitated financial inclusion by enabling them to open bank accounts and access digital payment services.<\/p>\n

This empowers them to manage their finances independently and participate more actively in economic activities.<\/p>\n

Community Engagement<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Digitization has strengthened community networks among rural women. Social media platforms and online forums provide them with opportunities to connect, share experiences, and support each other, fostering a sense of solidarity and collective empowerment.<\/p>\n

Related read:\u00a05 Community Building Platforms You Need to Build Your Business Organically<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

However, challenges such as digital literacy, internet connectivity, and cultural barriers continue to impact women’s full participation in the digital economy, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to ensure inclusive growth and empowerment. Here is how the Indian government is tackling these challenges.<\/p>\n

7 Schemes by the Indian government to accelerate progress in women\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

1. Mudra Loan Scheme\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The government initiative promotes entrepreneurship and provides financial support to micro and small enterprises, with a special focus on women entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n

Loans up to \u20b910 lakhs are available with easy terms and lower interest rates, making it attractive for business establishment or expansion.<\/p>\n

2. Stand-Up India Scheme<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Designed to foster entrepreneurship among marginalized communities, particularly women, the scheme provides bank loans ranging from \u20b910 lakh to \u20b91 crore for setting up new businesses.<\/p>\n

It mandates at least one scheduled caste (SC) or scheduled tribe borrower and one woman per bank branch for loan disbursement.<\/p>\n

3. Mahila Coir Yojana (MCY)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

This scheme aims to empower rural women by offering spinning equipment at reduced prices along with skill development training.<\/p>\n

Women entrepreneurs can avail a subsidy of up to 75% of equipment costs and a margin money subsidy of up to 25% of the project cost, provided they have completed coir yarn spinning training.<\/p>\n

4. Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

It facilitates collateral-free financing for micro and small enterprises, including those owned or operated by women, with credit facilities up to \u20b9200 lakh per eligible borrower.<\/p>\n

The guarantee cover extends up to 85% for enterprises led by women and up to 75% for others.<\/p>\n

5. Udyam Shakti Portal<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Launched by the Ministry of MSME, the portal promotes social entrepreneurship by providing assistance in business planning, incubation facilities, training programs, and market research.<\/p>\n

Projects with costs up to \u20b925 lakhs are eligible, with a specific allocation of \u20b910 lakhs for service-based projects.<\/p>\n

6. Economic Empowerment of Women Enterprises and Start-up by Women\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Operated by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, this scheme offers an incubation and acceleration program for female micro-entrepreneurs to establish new businesses or scale up existing ones, currently operational in Assam, Rajasthan, and Telangana.<\/p>\n

7. Trade-Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development (TREAD)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Aimed at economically empowering women, the initiative provides finance, training, and development assistance through NGOs. NGOs receive grants from the Government of India (GoI) of up to 30% of the project cost, with the remaining 70% financed by the lending agency for entrepreneurship promotion among women.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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D2C brands that are taking “Invest in women” seriously\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

It’s not just the government that can do the job alone. It needs community effort. There are D2C brands that have been championing the cause of “invest in women”.<\/p>\n

They are doing so by directly including women in their income process and letting them have a share of the profits.<\/p>\n

Here are some examples of brands that are cultivating the (S)heroes of tomorrow:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Craftpotli<\/strong><\/h4>\n

A homegrown D2C brand, Craftpolti has been forming small cohorts in rural eastern India. Because of this brand, tribal women from these parts have been given a chance to enter the formal economy. They make artisanal soaps and beauty products that have the signature ingredients of that region. Read their story here.<\/a><\/p>\n

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Instamojo online store: Craftpotli<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Shilpkriti<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Another homegrown brand hosted on Instamojo, Shilpkriti<\/a> has been equipping rural and tribal communities with manufacturing skills. they connect these communities to the global village through their online store where they can showcase their artisanal brass products.<\/p>\n

Grameenkart<\/strong><\/h4>\n

A small business that also operates deep within the hinterlands of India. Grameenkart has been locating small communities of rural women and employing them for textile work. These textiles are then sold throughout the country. This brand has uplifted hundreds of women from dire poverty.<\/p>\n

Related read:\u00a0#VocalForLocal: An Independence day special edition of mojoStores<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Anka<\/strong><\/h4>\n

This Kerala-based D2C brand is keeping authentic traditional handloom techniques alive. Their cotton sarees are a testament to India’s strong traditional foundation. The brand employs female tribal artisans from Balaramapuram to weave each garment so that the results are of the finest quality with timeless handiwork.<\/p>\n

Swara Vow<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Swara “Voice of Women” is an online D2C brand<\/a> that started as an impact project in 2018. today it has ventured into a global program and has become a pioneer in D2C ethical fashion. They employ rural women and create income opportunities for them by connecting them directly to conscious consumers in global urban areas!<\/p>\n

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How is Instamojo committed to empowering women?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

1. 60:40 ratio of women to men-owned online businesses\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Instamojo is committed to empowering women by fostering gender equality on its platform, with a significant 60:40 ratio of female to male-owned businesses. This ensures equal opportunities for women entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their products or services.<\/p>\n

Related read:\u00a0eCommerce and women empowerment: What has changed in 50 years?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

2. Earn anywhere, anytime\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Through Instamojo<\/a>, women can earn from the comfort of their homes or anywhere in the world, empowering them with flexibility and independence in generating income.<\/p>\n

3. Inclusive growth\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Instamojo’s user-friendly tools bridge the digital divide by simplifying the process of running an online business, making it accessible and feasible for women entrepreneurs to leverage a digital storefront.<\/p>\n

4. Free online up-skilling courses\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Instamojo’s online learning platform, Mojoversity<\/a>, provides women with opportunities for skill enhancement and knowledge acquisition. It empowers them to expand their expertise and succeed in their entrepreneurial ventures.<\/p>\n

We, at Instamojo, want to invest in women by equipping them with new – age skills relevant to modern industries.<\/p>\n