Breaking years of stereotypes, Indian women are proving they are excellent home-makers and businesswomen. In the recent decade, the rise of females in the corporate world has been witnessed, showing that they are in the right direction. Besides these women’s progress, the country is also contributing to help females grow by launching initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, MUDRA Yojana, and SHG-based entrepreneurship programs, among others. From corporate to politics, women can be seen everywhere, reclaiming their value by becoming decision-makers in families, communities, and workplaces.
Women Entrepreneurs Review Magazine has covered some similar stories, this week, in which Indian women have showcased their pliability and power.
Swavalambane Programme Empowers 150 SHG Women Entrepreneurs in Karnataka
The Swavalambane programme, launched in June 2022, is a collaborative initiative by the NSRCEL of the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) and Sanjeevini—Karnataka State Rural Livelihood Promotion Society. It aims to empower rural women entrepreneurs in Karnataka by helping them develop sustainable business models, increase revenues by 15 percent, and create local employment opportunities.
150 rural self-help group women entrepreneurs from 26 districts out of 40,138 applicants in Karnataka were selected for the Swavalambane programme, which offers customized support in marketing, financial management, and mentorship. The programme has significantly impacted 12 business sectors, with food and food products having the highest representation with 54 entrepreneurs, plate making and tailoring with 17 entrepreneurs, and handicrafts with 13 entrepreneurs. Applicants have shown interest from states like Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.
Indian Women hold 11% of World's total Gold Reserves: Report
Indian women collectively hold around 24,000 tons of gold, accounting for 11 per cent of the world's total gold reserves, according to a World Gold Council report. This gold holds immense cultural and traditional value in India, particularly among women, and plays a crucial role in the country's economy, covering nearly 40 per cent of its GDP. South India, particularly Tamil Nadu (28 per cent), contributes significantly to this gold ownership, with women holding about 40 per cent of India's total gold reserves.
Sports Calendar 2025: Indian Women's Cricket Matches Announced!
In 2024, Indian women's cricket experienced significant growth, with key performances at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, a historic gold medal at the Asian Games, and the Women's Premier League (WPL) continued to attract top international players and enhance domestic cricket standards.
As 2024 concludes, Indian women's cricket is set to reach new heights in 2025, with major tournaments and initiatives aimed at growth. With a strong fan following and international acclaim, the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in 2025 promises a thrilling future.
R. Vaishali wins Bronze in World Blitz Championship 2024 in New York
R. Vaishali won the bronze medal in the women's section of the World Blitz Championship 2024 in New York, defeating China's Zhu Jiner in the quarterfinals by 2.5-1.5. Ju Wenjun later won the world title, defeating Lei Tingjie in the final. This achievement marks a stellar year for Indian women in chess, following Koneru Humpy's victory in the World Rapid Championship. Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand congratulated Vaishali for her performance.
FIDE President, Viswanathan wrote "Congratulations to Vaishali for taking bronze. Her qualification was truly a power-packed performance. Our Waca Chess mentee has done us proud. We are so happy to be supporting her and her chess. What a way to wrap up 2024. In 2021, we thought we would get stronger chess players but here we have it a World Champion and a Bronze medallist."
4th O Womaniya! Report finds Decline in Women's Representation in South Movie Industry
The O Womaniya! 2024 report by Ormax Media and Film Companion Studios, presented by Prime Video India, shows a decline in female representation in the head of department roles in Telugu films, dropping from 5 per cent in 2021 to 3 per cent in 2023. The report analyzes 169 Indian films and series, identifying gaps in female representation in production, corporate leadership, and marketing across nine languages.
The O Womaniya! Report introduced a Gender Equality Toolkit to measure female representation in content. The test assesses whether women have agency and drive their stories. Only 31 per cent of titles passed, with streaming series leading with 45 per cent. More stories pass when a female commissioning-in-charge is present. The traditional Bechdel Test also falls short.
President Murmu stresses on Women's Cancer Care & Early Diagnosis
India's President, Droupadi Murmu recently addressed the inauguration of the 300-bed KLE Dr. Sampatkumar S. Shivanagi Cancer Hospital in Belagavi. She urged the nation to shift from traditional mindsets to address women's health issues, particularly cancer care.
She highlighted the importance of timely diagnoses and treatments, especially in cases of cancer, and the need for families and society to play a larger role in addressing health issues. She further emphasized the need for healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care, raise awareness about early diagnosis and treatment options, and be kind-hearted and empathetic.
