Gujarat launches new training initiatives for women’s self-help groups (SHGs) on June 20, 2025, to enhance economic independence and skills. Over 5,000 women across 500 SHGs will benefit from vocational and financial literacy programs, supported by the Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company. The initiative aims to empower rural women, boost entrepreneurship, and reduce poverty through sustainable livelihoods.
Gujarat’s SHG Training Initiative to Empower Women
On June 20, 2025, Gujarat’s government rolled out a transformative training program for women’s self-help groups (SHGs) under the aegis of the Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company (GLPC) and the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). The initiative targets over 5,000 women across 500 SHGs in rural areas, equipping them with vocational skills, financial literacy, and entrepreneurial know-how to foster economic independence and community resilience.
The training modules, designed in collaboration with local NGOs and industry experts, focus on practical skills like tailoring, handicraft production, food processing, and agribusiness. In Bharuch district, for instance, women like Surekhaben Bhadigar and Jayshree Prajapati have already seen success through similar programs, earning up to Rs 5,000 monthly by producing incense sticks and clay idols. These efforts build on the legacy of Gujarat’s SHG movement, which began with the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) in 1972, a pioneer in women’s economic empowerment.
Financial inclusion is a cornerstone of the program. SHGs will be linked to banks through the SHG-Bank Linkage Programme, enabling access to microcredit. Since 2013, SHGs under NRLM have accessed Rs 5.20 lakh crore in bank credit nationwide, with Gujarat contributing significantly. The state has allocated Rs 50 crore for 2025-26 to provide seed funding and matching grants to SHGs, ensuring financial sustainability. For example, each group receives an initial Rs 15,000 revolving fund to kickstart income-generating activities like making pickles, papads, or spices.
The program also emphasizes digital literacy, addressing a key challenge for SHGs: limited access to modern technologies. Training centers in districts like Amreli and Masar village will offer courses on e-commerce platforms and digital record-keeping to help women scale their microenterprises. A recent study in Amreli showed that SHG members who received skill training reported a significant increase in savings, investment, and self-sufficiency compared to non-SHG members.
Gujarat’s SHG model draws inspiration from successful initiatives like Kudumbashree in Kerala and Jeevika in Bihar. With 509 SHGs in Bharuch alone, the state is expanding its network, aiming to mobilize 10 lakh women into SHGs by 2027. The government’s focus on market linkages, through events like the Saras Aajeevika Mela, ensures that SHG products reach broader markets, boosting incomes. Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan recently praised Gujarat’s SHGs for producing “Lakhpati Didis,” women earning over Rs 1 lakh annually, with a national target of 3 crore such women by 2027.
Challenges remain, including limited financial literacy and scalability issues. However, the state’s partnership with organizations like the Mukul Madhav Foundation, which has trained 120 women in tailoring since 2018, and ANANDI, a Gujarat-based NGO promoting women-led community organizations, is addressing these gaps. The training program also includes leadership and social awareness modules to empower women to tackle issues like gender-based violence and early marriage.
By fostering entrepreneurship and financial independence, Gujarat’s latest SHG training initiative is poised to transform rural economies and elevate women’s socio-economic status, continuing the state’s legacy as a leader in women’s empowerment.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information from government press releases, reports from the Ministry of Rural Development, and local news sources. Data on SHG achievements and funding is sourced from the National Rural Livelihood Mission and Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company. The article reflects the latest available information as of July 6, 2025, and may be subject to updates as new data emerges.