Empowering Women through Livelihoods, Skills and Enterprise Development

Women are at the centre of ARPAN’s Model– mobilizing them into Self Help Groups and federations, building financial literacy and leadership skills, and enabling women-led enterprises and institutions that create lasting change across generations.

• Women empowerment is the key agenda in all Arpan projects. Through On-Farm and Non-Farm interventions, Arpan has facilitated livelihood and skill development of 80,000+ women.
• Women-Led FPOs & Federations: Building Collective Enterprises and Sustainable Livelihoods: 

1. Women-Led Goat-Based FPO: In Bhim, Rajsamand, ARPAN has formed and strengthened women-led Farmer Producer Organisations (FPO)-Arpan Magra Farmer Agro Producer Company Ltdfocused on goat-based livelihoods, micro-enterprises and value addition in dairy products. Women actively participate in FPO management, leadership and decision-making. 
2. Women’s Micro-Enterprise Development: ARPAN is strengthening women-led enterprise ecosystems across its programme areas, with 600+ micro-enterprise units established and supported across Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, covering diverse livelihoods such as goatry, poultry, multi-tier cropping, sewing, flour mills, masala making, food services and other women-led businesses. In Bhim, Rajsamand, ARPAN has further strengthened a women’s federation to promote non-farm micro-enterprises and sustainable livelihoods, including the establishment of ‘ApnaPoshakGhar’, a women-managed boutique that creates opportunities for income generation, entrepreneurship and market engagement. 
3. Strengthening SHG Institutions: ARPAN has facilitated the formation and strengthening of 2,500+ Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across its programme areas. All SHGs maintain active bank accounts and practise inter-lending, promoting financial inclusion, savings, and access to internal credit. To strengthen their financial management and institutional capacity, 100 bookkeepers have been trained to support systematic record-keeping and financial processes.
4. In addition, ARPAN has undertaken capacity enhancement and institutional strengthening initiatives for SHGs promoted under both NRLM and SRLM, enabling women’s collectives to improve their management capabilities, access livelihood opportunities, and enhance their overall socio-economic resilience.
5. Financial Inclusion & Credit Access: Women’s groups are supported through bank credit linkages and federation-based financial services, enabling members to access capital for livelihood activities and enterprise development.

• SHG Mobilisation, Institutional Strengthening & Livelihood Enhancement

1. Formation & Strengthening: ARPAN has facilitated the formation and capacity enhancement of 2,500+ Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across its programme areas, strengthening women’s collectives, leadership, financial inclusion and decision-making.
2. Scheme for Economic Empowerment of De-notified Tribes: 750 SHGs formed across 15 districts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, reaching 9,852 beneficiaries, with 745 SHG bank accounts opened.
3. Women’s Leadership & Collectives: Supported women’s SHGs, mothers’ groups and Mahila Melas, creating platforms for collective action, awareness, financial literacy and livelihood opportunities.
4. Livelihood Enhancement: Strengthened women’s livelihood opportunities through enterprise development, financial linkages and capacity enhancement of 35 Pashu Sakhis, supporting women to build sustainable income sources.

• Women-Led Enterprises: 

MagraMahilaSamiti, a women-led federation of 100 SHGs comprising 1237 Women, is driving collective entrepreneurship and livelihood development. Through diverse farm and non-farm enterprises, the federation and its members have generated a combined turnover of ?8 crore, creating sustainable income opportunities for women and their families.

1. Livestock & Poultry Enterprises: Goat rearing and poultry-based enterprises provide women with sustainable income opportunities and strengthen household livelihoods.
2. Agriculture & Horticulture Enterprises: Women are engaged in the cultivation and value addition of garlic, onion, coriander, chilli, tomato, custard apple and mango, promoting diversified farm-based livelihoods.
3. “ApnaPoshakGhar” – Women’s Boutique: The federation has established ‘ApnaPoshakGhar’, a women-managed boutique that creates opportunities for income generation, entrepreneurship, skill development and market engagement.
4. Micro & Non-Farm Enterprises: 300+ Women-led micro-enterprises include cloth and fancy stores, flour mills, general stores, ladies’ sewing centres, tailoring shops, restaurants and e-Mitra centres, supporting diversified sources of household income.
5. Women’s Enterprise & Leadership: Through collective enterprise development, financial access, market linkages and capacity building, the federation is enabling women to lead businesses, make financial decisions and build sustainable and diversified livelihoods.

“From saving together to speaking up together”

Through sustained collective action, capacity building and leadership development, women in ARPAN’s programme areas have evolved from being participants in community groups to becoming confident voices for change. Today, women-led collectives are not only managing their livelihoods and financial institutions but are also raising their voices against social injustices, challenging harmful practices and mobilising their communities for positive change. They actively participate in awareness campaigns, community meetings and rallies, demonstrating that economic empowerment has translated into greater confidence, leadership and a stronger collective voice in society.