Women’s economic empowerment is a prerequisite for sustainable development and pro-poor growth in any country. However, they continue to be excluded in social, economic and political domains. Gender biases due to patriarchal culture and tradition continue to exist within the household, impacting women’s lives in the public and private sphere.

Since its inception, DA has been designing and providing eco-solutions for women in the areas of Literacy, Energy, Water, Habitat, Skill Development and Capacity Building, Waste to wealth creation and Enterprise Development. Through our flagship programme, TARA Akshar+, women are taught how to read, write and do simple arithmetic. Through the capacity building initiative, we work with adolescent girls where they are made aware on career options and are also linked to available work opportunities. Women empowerment has been an integral component of all our work. These programmes have helped in enhancing their capacities to become farmers, entrepreneurs, trainers, active agents in local governance, para legal workers, radio reporters and so on. These initiatives have helped them provide more meaning and dignity to their life.