Women empowerment
Kashmiri women influencers you need to follow
Women from rural Kashmir are challenging societal norms, one social media post at a time, in an inspiring wave of digital change sweeping through the region.
Copperware carves way for Kashmir women’s empowerment
Defying gender barriers, young women are training to be coppersmiths in Kashmir and working towards making their mark in a male-dominated craft sector to ensure social and financial empowerment.
A widow becomes sarpanch at 80, busting ageism myths
Widowed young, Fatah Begum became a labourer to feed and educate her eight children. With a firm belief in women’s contribution to nation-building, she became a sarpanch at 80, busting myths about gender and age.
A rural woman’s ‘toy story’ towards success
An accidental brush with a training programme turns an unlettered rural woman into an entrepreneur who now runs a soft toy business in Rajasthan. She now earns Rs 30,000 per month and employs 12 women.
Book Review: The Indian Village by Surinder S. Jodhka
Published by Aleph Book Company, the book chronicles socioeconomic changes in Indian villages through interesting anecdotes.
The need for digital empowerment of rural women
India's digital landscape is booming, especially in rural areas, with significant growth in internet usage and digital payments. However, a gender-based digital divide persists, hindering women's empowerment.
4 Badass rural women who made history
From changing sexual harrassment laws to growing trees at the age of 112 – these rural women have contributed to significant impact in India.
Inspiring rural women who defied expectations
They had only a dream to start with. And they have made their mark in various fields with a never-quit spirit. This International Day of Rural Women, we revisit some inspiring stories covered on Village Square.
Saraswathi’s journey from orphanage student to leader
To get her educated, Saraswathi’s parents enrolled her in an orphanage. From getting married as a teen to leaving her abusive husband, she trudged through her hardships and now runs an orphanage where she nurtures young girls.
Kihim women lead coastal village’s economic revival
The women of Kihim toil every day to transform this quiet coastal village in Maharashtra into a tourist destination, keeping its beach economy thriving while securing a better future for their families.
Kerala women brew cups of joy with artisanal coffee
A coffee brand created by five women from Pinavoorkudi tribal village in Kerala has grown to become a trusted and favourite blend of beans.
A supermarket for the women, by the women
Sanjeevini Supermarket is a testament to the power of collective action, a celebration of local talent, and a marketplace of empowerment where women’s dreams are taking root, and a brighter, more sustainable future beckons.
Punjab’s daughters revive its cotton weaving tradition
In a remarkable resurgence, 27 women, guided by Rupsi Garg and supported by her Trinjan project, rekindle Punjab’s fading art of spinning and weaving cotton products, gaining financial independence and a deep sense of happiness.
Sustainable farming: Kerala village women sow seeds of change
Women in Wayanad district of Kerala are conserving native varieties of vegetable seeds, ushering economic prosperity and ensuring sustainable agriculture.
Booze bottles become bangles in dry state Bihar
A factory making bangles from discarded liquor bottles in Sabalpur village stands as a symbol of empowerment and resilience, offering hope to women who have found solace and strength in their work, regardless of the hurdles they face.
Jharkhand woman turns entrepreneur making bamboo handicrafts
Enthused after learning to make bamboo handicrafts, Mira Devi, an enterprising homemaker, harnesses her skills to achieve entrepreneurial success and trains others towards financial self-sufficiency.
MP ‘redlight village’ seeks redemption through sports
Close to famous Sanchi stupas, Sookha Karar is starting to shed its infamy by allowing its children to take up sports and chart a different career.
Pickled cashews & more at this women-run factory in Goa
From pickled to smoked cashews and more, this cashew factory with mostly women employees offers flavourful treats and a heartwarming story.
Toiling hard to build toilets brick by brick
Thirty-three-year-old Sunita Devi of Udaipura village in Latehar district of Jharkhand has been a trailblazer, teaching tribal women masonry for the purpose of building toilets across interiors. Her story in her own words.
Assam woman pickles her way to success
This micro-entrepreneur from Assam started her pickle-making business after several hurdles and now successfully runs it on solar power, selling her products online across India.