Shilp Didi Programme, Objectives, Features, Significance

The Shilp Didi Programme is a government initiative to help women artisans in India earn money and grow their skills. It started in June 2024 with a 100-day pilot program. The Ministry of Textiles, through the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), runs this programme.

The goal is to help women artisans, called Shilp Didis, improve their craft, learn business and digital skills, and sell their products to more people across India and abroad. This helps them become independent and support their families.

Shilp Didi Programme Objectives

The primary objectives of the Shilp Didi Programme are:

1. Economic Empowerment – Enable women artisans to earn sustainable incomes through handicrafts.
2. Skill Development – Enhance design, entrepreneurship, and business skills through structured training modules.
3. Digital Inclusion – Equip artisans with digital skills, including e-commerce and social media, to expand their customer base.
4. Market Access – Facilitate exposure to curated exhibitions, craft fairs, and e-commerce platforms to sell products nationwide and globally.
5. Entrepreneurship Promotion – Encourage micro-entrepreneurship and self-employment in rural and non-farm sectors.

Shilp Didi Programme Features

The Shilp Didi Programme includes several unique features designed to empower women artisans:

• E-Training Modules – Comprehensive courses covering entrepreneurship, regulatory compliance, social media marketing, and e-commerce onboarding.
• Marketing Opportunities – Platforms like Dilli Haat, craft fairs, and curated events showcase artisans’ products to a wider audience.
• E-Commerce Integration – Artisans gain access to digital marketplaces, increasing visibility and sales potential across India and abroad.
• Inclusive Pilot Phase – Initially involving 100 women artisans from 72 districts across 23 states, covering 30 handicraft types such as textiles, pottery, metal crafts, and embroidery.
• Capacity Building – Collaboration with National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP) clusters ensures skill enhancement and quality improvement.

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Shilp Didi Programme Significance

The Shilp Didi Programme plays a significant role in empowering women and strengthening India’s handicraft sector:

• Sustainable Livelihoods – Provides consistent income sources for rural and non-farm communities.

• Women’s Entrepreneurship – Encourages micro-business creation, making women economically self-sufficient.

• Digital Empowerment – Helps artisans use technology and social media to reach new markets.

• Cultural Preservation – Supports the continuation of traditional Indian crafts while modernising business approaches.

Women’s Empowerment in India

Women’s Empowerment in India focuses on financial independence, social equality, and increased participation in economic and social activities. Several government schemes have played a major role in supporting women across sectors.

Key Points and Facts:

1. Financial Inclusion through PMJDY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana):
   • Launched in 2014, PMJDY aims to provide bank accounts for every household.
   • Over 50% of accounts are held by women, empowering them to save and access credit.
   • Women gain access to savings accounts, overdraft facilities, and insurance, promoting financial independence.
2. Entrepreneurship through Stand-Up India Scheme:
   • Launched in 2016, it promotes women and SC/ST entrepreneurship.
   • Provides loans between ₹10 lakh and ₹1 crore for starting new businesses in manufacturing, services, or trading.
   • Since inception, over 70% of Stand-Up India loans have been sanctioned to women entrepreneurs, helping them build small and medium enterprises.
3. Affordable Housing through PM Awas Yojana (PMAY):
   • Launched in 2015, it aims to provide housing for all by 2025, especially for women-headed households.
   • Women are prioritized as primary beneficiaries, ensuring security and social empowerment.
   • Over 1.2 crore houses have been sanctioned for women beneficiaries under the scheme.
4. Micro-Enterprise Support through PM SVANidhi (Street Vendors’ Scheme):
   • Launched in 2020 to provide working capital loans to street vendors, many of whom are women.
   • Offers collateral-free loans up to ₹10,000, encouraging women entrepreneurs to restart and expand their businesses post-COVID.
   • Benefited over 12 lakh women street vendors so far.
5. Employment and Skill Development:
   • Women’s empowerment is also supported through schemes like Skill India and National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).
   • Focuses on training women artisans, craftsmen, and workers to improve employability and income.
6. Digital and Social Inclusion:
   • Women now increasingly access online banking, digital payments, and e-commerce platforms.
   • Initiatives like Shilp Didi Programme help women artisans leverage technology for marketing and sales.
7. Impact of Empowerment:
   • According to World Bank data, women’s financial inclusion and entrepreneurship contribute significantly to poverty reduction and economic growth.
   • Empowered women improve household income, education, and health outcomes, creating long-term societal benefits.