Women empowerment
Bihar’s all-women Musahar musicians beat drums of change
Founded in 2013, Sargam Mahila Band from the Musahar community makes a bold statement against caste discrimination and stereotypes, earning remuneration, recognition and respect.
Rural women in Maharashtra get a taste of emancipation
Farm Didi, led by a mission to uplift women in rural Maharashtra, promises more than just delicious products. It leverages women’s expertise in food production to create high-quality, preservative-free products.
Nari Adhikari Kendras a boon for women’s rights
The women’s support organisations, or Nari Adhikari Kendras, are doing stupendous work at the grassroots level in Madhya Pradesh’s Petlawad, in district Jhabua. Village Square does a recce.
Bihar’s Jeevika programme helps rural women rise from despair to dignity
In rural Bihar, the Jeevika programme, led by the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society and supported by the World Bank, is empowering women from marginalised communities by providing financial support and livelihood opportunities.
Lado Panchayat — How Haryana’s rural women are rewriting rules of patriarchy
Haryana’s Lado Panchayat, born out of a movement in 2012, provides a platform for women to voice their concerns, challenge patriarchal norms and fight for gender equality and empowerment.
How a woman from rural UP built her beauty business
A woman from a small village in Uttar Pradesh turned her passion for beauty into a successful business with the support of a local youth hub overcoming many challenges.
Bihar’s STEM girls embrace coding to land lucrative jobs
School of Programming, a collaborative initiative of Project Potential and NavGurukul in Kishanganj, is empowering young women from rural Bihar with software coding skills, opening doors to aspirational careers and transforming their future.
Meet the Ravan Didi of Uttarakhand
Munni Padiyar Bisht, an unassuming village woman from Chamoli district, metamorphoses into the formidable Ravan Didi through this women-led Ramlila in Uttarakhand.
How a struggling widow became a micro-entrepreneur
Widowed young, Basanti Nahaka of Odisha was financially struggling till she joined a producer group. With support from her group, she extracts and sells mustard oil in her village and other places, which improves her finances.
From housewife to e-rickshaw driver, Kashmiri woman rides toward financial freedom
Kaunsar Jan turned heads when she decided to become an e-rickshaw driver, navigating the bustling streets of Srinagar, breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes and embarking on a journey towards financial independence.
Dalit woman leads fellow caste villagers to land ownership in Punjab
Charanjit Kaur and other Dalit families from Gharachon village in Sangrur district won the right to bid for reserved panchayat land, despite systemic caste barriers and police action.
Sparking change: How one woman’s dreams lit up an MP village
In rural Madhya Pradesh, Lakshmi Warakade’s transformation from a struggling farm worker to a successful electrician's assistant demonstrates the power of opportunity, determination and community support in breaking the cycle of poverty and inspiring others.
Claiming the streets: SHGs, women and public spaces
In rural India, women are boldly reclaiming public spaces through self-help groups (SHGs) and collectives. These gatherings are transforming village dynamics, challenging patriarchal norms and enabling economic empowerment.
A heartful of handloom in Maheshwar
From a sleepy hamlet with struggling weavers to a bustling town known for sarees, it’s taken many years for Maheshwar to appear on India’s handloom map. Sally Holkar, known for reviving the sector, tells us about her journey.
‘A woman’s life is similar to that of the land’
A woman’s existence has been poisoned by violence, just like land has been destroyed by chemical use, says social activist Abha Bhaiya. She tells us how at Jagori Rural, an NGO located in Himachal Pradesh, they try to heal both.
A beautiful initiative against the hungry waves
The Sundarbans delta has long faced a livelihood crisis due to several factors. Now, a unified programme incorporating technology has been initiated for the sustainable income of local women.
Hope mushrooms for these women of flood-prone Barpeta
A few months ago, four brave women from the Bodo tribe in Assam's Barpeta district started a mushroom farm, bringing hope and empowerment to their flood-prone, poverty-stricken village.
How a sarpanch led the facelift of his Gujarat village
Suresh Chhanga of Kunariya gram panchayat in Kachchh district has ushered a transformation in his village, with a focus on safe water and sanitation services, demonstrating how villages can lead in achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
Her producers’ group helps this Assamese farmer earn more
Somina Khatun followed conventional practices of farming. After becoming a member of a self-help group and subsequently a farmer producers’ group, she learned about sustainable ways of farming that boosts her yields and income.
Women wedding photographers click in Kashmir
More brides are finding comfort in being clicked by female photographers on their big day. Village Square meets two of them.