Mumbai, 27 January 2023: Learning Links Foundation and Mastercard in collaboration with the Common Service Centres (CSC), an initiative of the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY), on Wednesday launched the SASHAKTI program in Maharashtra to empower women entrepreneurs from low-income families with knowledge and skills related to financial and digital literacy.
The program was formally inaugurated by Shri Digambar Dalvi, Director of Vocational Education and Training, under Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of Maharashtra.
The SASHAKTI program aims to equip women entrepreneurs from low-income backgrounds with skills required to build and run their businesses efficiently. The program intends to reach 38,000 firstand second-generation women entrepreneurs in tier 2 and 3 cities across seven states in India – Maharashtra, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Telangana, and Karnataka. The vans covering the first five states will also have CSC Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) directly interacting with the beneficiaries.
Under the program, Learning Links Foundation will educate women about legal compliances involved in starting or expanding a business. Additionally, women will be made aware about the government’s flagship loan schemes for micro-entrepreneurs such as MUDRA etc. The program will also look to enhance their digital know-how, so that they can reach a larger consumer base and join collectives such as self-help groups and cooperatives to leverage better bargaining power.
“The launch of the SASHAKTI program will accelerate the growth of female entrepreneurs in the state. The real life experience sharing by beneficiaries & budding entrepreneurs was very impactful. To ensure that more women can become SASHAKTs and avail benefit of this programme, we want to promote LLF & SASHAKTI through government schemes and other women’s entrepreneurship platforms. I look forward to provide all my support for this collaborative project by Learning Links Foundation and Mastercard, in order to increase women participation and to create more women entrepreneurs, “saidShri Digambar Dalvi, Director of Vocational Education and Training, under Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of Maharashtra.
“The Learning Links Foundation recognizes the importance of entrepreneurship in ensuring financial independence for women and developing the national economy. In India, only 13.5% of businesses are owned by women. Initiatives like SASHAKTI are needed to give them the comprehensive support they need to become long-term actors in the world of entrepreneurship. Our partnership with Mastercard and CSC will help us develop models that deliver impact at scale,” said Sudeep Dube, Partner, Learning Links Foundation.
With a vision to drive inclusive growth for a digitally empowered India, Mastercard has been supporting women entrepreneurs across the country through digital and financial literacy and entrepreneurial training.
“Mastercard is proud to be a part of SASHAKTI along with Learning Links Foundation and CSC. Currently, women account for just 17% of India’s GDP which is less than half the global average. Taking the power of digital and technology to women entrepreneurs through innovative tools can transform their businesses and lives. Mastercard is committed to bringing women into the financial and digital mainstream,” said Medha Girotra, Vice President, Public Policy, South Asia, Mastercard.
