Programs
The Need
In rural areas, particularly in the villages of Sohna Block, District Gurugram, women face significant challenges such as domestic violence, alcoholism, and financial dependency. Traditional gender roles and a lack of education restrict their opportunities for economic independence and personal growth.
There is a pressing need for skill development initiatives that can empower women by providing them with the tools to achieve financial independence, boost their self-esteem, and enhance their social status. These initiatives are essential to address societal issues, promote gender equality, and enable women to actively participate in their communities' development.
History of the Program
The Unnati program, run by the Navjyoti India Foundation, has a rich history rooted in social reform and empowerment. Initiated by Dr. Kiran Bedi in the 1980s, the foundation began with a sewing and tailoring initiative aimed at economic empowerment and societal reform. Over the years, the program evolved to address the specific needs of women in rural areas.
In 1996, a sewing unit and family counselling centre were established in village Bhondsi. This initiative was later relocated to Naya Gaon in 2001. By 2010, the program had grown to include multiple satellite centres, offering courses in stitching, embroidery, and crochet and other than that, Unnati also focuses on the holistic development by providing trainings enterprising, financial and digital skills.
Our
The program enables women entrepreneurs to become independent through our 4S model, which ensures that women receive Skill Development, a Sustainable Livelihood, Supportive Relationships, and guidance towards Self-Reliance:
1
Skill Development
We identify individual skills and tailor training modules accordingly, creating structured schedules to ensure consistent and effective learning. We also actively collaborate with relevant stakeholders to enhance the quality and outreach of our training initiatives.
2
Sustainable Livelihood
We provide mentoring support to individuals, helping them navigate challenges and build confidence in creating income-generation opportunities that promote long-term economic independence and dignity.
3
Supportive Relationships
Our approach includes offering counseling support to families, conducting regular home visits, and fostering an enabling environment. These efforts aim to nurture emotional well-being and strong social bonds within the community.
4
Self-Reliance
We organize personal development programs that equip individuals with essential life skills. Through financial and digital literacy training, as well as sessions on social, legal, and environmental awareness, we empower individuals with the knowledge to lead autonomous and enterprising lives.
Our Current Initiatives
In the Unnati program, we empower women through a range of initiatives. We offer basic and advanced stitching courses, produce various handcrafted products to develop essential and enterprising skills, equipping women with the ability to generate income and become financially independent. Unnati focuses on the circular economy by collaborating with various export houses to collect textile waste, which would otherwise end up in landfills. This waste is repurposed to manufacture Unnati handcrafted products.
In the Unnati program, we empower women through a range of initiatives. We offer basic and advanced stitching courses, produce various handcrafted products to develop essential and enterprising skills, equipping women with the ability to generate income and become financially independent. Unnati focuses on the circular economy by collaborating with various export houses to collect textile waste, which would otherwise end up in landfills. This waste is repurposed to manufacture Unnati handcrafted products.
Our Impact
Total number of trained women and adolescent girls
Total number of women Entrepreneurs
Total annual amount of livelihood generated by the women
Average monthly income of women and entrepreneurs
Working Towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Goal 5: Gender Equality
Working to bridge the economic gap between women and men
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Working towards providing opportunity for entrepreneurship and economic growth to women from rural areas of India
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
Along with reducing gender inequalities, our focus on women from rural villages of India reduces the inequalities faced by rural populations in the country
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Our use of recycled and sustainable materials to create our products, along with our sensitization trainings on environmental awareness, follow the practice of responsible consumption and production