National : Vedanta Limited (NSE: VEDL), today reaffirmed its decade long commitment to rural women’s empowerment, marking the International Day of Rural Women, with a compelling milestone: 6 Lakh women have been enabled to transition into micro-entrepreneurship, generating ₹26 Crore in cumulative economic impact.

Vedanta’s integrated approach addresses the foundational barriers rural women face: access to capital, capacity development, and market linkages. With initiatives across the country, Vedanta is enabling rural women’s transition from economic dependence to enterprise ownership, creating sustainable livelihoods and building resilient communities. 

Nearly ₹3 Crore in microfinance loans have been disbursed through over 6,000 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and 10 federations across multiple states such as Rajasthan, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, etc., with a remarkable 95% loan repayment rate that reflects the agency and accountability women exercise when given genuine opportunity. These womenhave simultaneously received market-relevant skill training through strategic partnerships with institutions including Krishi Vigyan Kendra, and other international organisations, ensuring they move from unemployed to skilled entrepreneurs. Vedanta’s Nand Ghar programme engages 2.5 lakh women with early childhood education, nutrition, healthcare, and skill-building opportunities, ensuring women’s empowerment extends to strengthening entire families.

Economic empowerment must be accompanied by social transformation. Through the Bharosa and Uthori folk theatre programmes, Vedanta addresses gender-based social issues head-on. Lakhs of individuals have been reached with awareness campaigns on domestic violence, child marriage, female foeticide, and women’s legal rights. The program has formed dedicated groups of adolescent girls focusing on health, education, hygiene, safety, and child rights.

At the heart of Vedanta’s women empowerment journey is an expansive SHG-led movement that is enabling women to take charge of their livelihoods. Hindustan Zinc’s Sakhi Project in Rajasthan and Uttarakhand exemplifies this transformation at scale. The project has generated nearly ₹150 crore in credit and savings. Women entrepreneurs under Sakhi have launched brands such as Daichi (edibles) and Upaya (textiles), achieving about lakhs in online sales through popular e-commerce platforms. Sakhis now operate BPCL’s first women-run petrol pump in Udaipur, breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated sectors.

Across other business units, Vedanta continues to catalyse women-led enterprise and community wealth creation. Vedanta Cairn Oil & Gas has enabled rural women in Rajasthan and Assam through the Maru Udaan and Unnati projects, supporting micro-enterprises such as the Jiji Bai SHG which produces millet cookies, and reviving traditional weaving in Assam, where artisans have seen a 25% rise in income.

In Odisha, Vedanta Aluminium’s Subhalaxmi Udyogini empowers SHGs through enterprises like Vedamrit (honey) and VedMurtika (terracotta), while Project Jeevika in Lanjigarh links them to social security schemes. Project Adikala has revived the traditional Etikoppaka lacquerware craft, training women artisans and connecting them to national and online platforms.

Vedanta’s commitment to rural women’s empowerment transcends individual programs; it embodies a transformative movement that is reshaping India’s socio-economic landscape. Through an integrated approach encompassing financial inclusion, skill development, and market linkages, Vedanta has not only enhanced household incomes but also fortified economic resilience, creating a ripple effect that uplifts entire communities.

By investing in women, Vedanta demonstrates that sustainable development hinges on empowering individuals, not merely allocating resources. This model of community-led development aligns seamlessly with India’s vision of a “Viksit Bharat,” where inclusive growth and grassroots leadership are paramount. As these empowered women continue to drive change, they are not just participants in development, they are its architects, laying the foundation for a prosperous and equitable future for all.