SHE Marts

SHE Marts Latest News

The Finance Minister recently announced SHE-Mart, a new platform for women entrepreneurs.

About SHE Marts

• SHE (Self-help Entrepreneur) Marts are planned as community-owned retail outlets that will be set up within cluster-level federations through enhanced and innovative finance instruments.
• It aims to provide women entrepreneurs with better market access, branding opportunities, and sustainable income avenues, while strengthening grassroots institutions such as self-help groups (SHGs).
• The proposal builds on the success of the Lakhpati Didi programme and signals a policy shift from micro-credit-led livelihoods to structured, women-owned enterprises. 
• SHE Marts are meant to:
  • Provide permanent retail points for SHG-made goods.
  • Improve direct market access.
  • Support value-added and processed products.
  • Be backed by enhanced and innovative financing instruments.

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What is the Lakhpati Didi Programme?

• It was announced by the Prime Minister in his Independence Day speech on August 15, 2023.
• Run by the Ministry of Rural Development, the Lakhpati Didi programme seeks to support rural women by helping members of SHGs start small businesses and earn a steady income of at least Rs 1 lakh a year. 
• Under this scheme, women will be trained in various skills, such as plumbing, LED bulb making, drone operation and repair, and tailoring and weaving.
• After completing the training, women will be provided with opportunities to earn income using their skills.
• The programme aims to help them become financially independent.
• Under the initiative, the government aims to train two crore women.

Source: PRINT