The study has been summarized in the form of a presentation so that others can understand its relevance. It is really important to look for ways to empower women through creative and innovative entrepreneurial ventures.

1. Role of NGOs in women
empowerment: case studies
from Uttarakhand, India
Dr. Minisha Gupta
Quality Cognition Private Limited,
New Delhi, India

2. Purpose of the study
• This study has tried to explore the role of non-
government organisations (NGOs) in
promoting women empowerment through
immediate livelihood through training and
venture creation facilities.

3. • Indian female labour force participation is lowest among
the world and the main reason for this is denial towards
women empowerment (Bhuyan, 2006).
Source: Women's Day 2019: Labour Force Participation Of Females Is Still An Achilles Heel For India (moneycontrol.com)

4. Objectives of the Study
• To identify the role of NGOs in women
empowerment.
• To develop the themes of women empowerment
for future research work.

5. Literature review
• Empowerment is a construct which includes
skills and capabilities of individuals, existing
support system, bold and dynamic attitude
towards societal policies and changes
(Rappaport, 1981, 1984).
• Women empowerment is a method through
which people attain the ability to acquire
strategic life which they have been denied
earlier (Kabeer, 1999)

6. Women empowerment and non-
government organisations
• NGOs and self-help groups (SHGs) are empowered by Indian government for
the growth and development of women in underprivileged areas of rural India.
• Empowerment alone, however, cannot succeed if the women themselves are not
motivated and determined for their own rights and benefits.
• Creativity, motivation, self determination, and personality are also important for
entrepreneurial ventures.
RQ1. Role of NGOs in empowering women through entrepreneurship in
rural areas of Uttarakhand.

7. Research methodology

8. Data collection
•Data collection was done in Kashipur District of Uttrakhand state in India, through
in-depth interview method using purposive sampling from the respondents who
participated in the workshop.
•Data was collected in two phases from June 2016 to December 2018.
•In the first phase data was collected from June 2016 to February 2017 while the
workshops were conducted.
• In the second phase, from April 2017 to December 2018, the same respondents were
interviewed in order to validate the findings of the study.
•The sample constituted total 120 respondents who were associated with the NGO in
the form of trainees and it was easy for researcher to reach them and gather their
responses.

9. Few glimpse of training and interview
sessions

10. Interview process
• Interviews were carried in their local language Hindi as they were more
comfortable in discussing in it. Their responses were recorded using audio device
after taking their permission and these responses were further transformed into
English for the purpose of the study. The duration of interviews lasted from half
an hour to one or two hours. Understanding the role of NGOs in empowering
females is the main aim of the study, so the questions have been asked after
considering the following aspects such as:
• Q1. How the members of NGO approached them?
• Q2. How they initiated and attended training camps?
• Q3. What all criticism was faced by them?
• Q4. Why they want to empower themselves and how was the training helpful to
them?
• Q5. Do they find NGOs helpful in empowering them?

11. Respondent Profile
Table 1. Respondent Profile
No Name Age Marital
Status
Education Place Trainin
g
Period
Sector Type of
Ventur
e
Earning
per month
1 Ganga
Bisht
26 Divorce
d
Primary Choi 1 month Stitching Garmen
t
10000
2 Rashmi
Latwal
33 Divorce
d
Graduation Choi 1 month Pickle & Jam Food 8000
3 Arpita Sen 20 Single Graduation Chilkiy
a
1 month Dance Service 6000
4 Rajni Devi 32 Married Secondary Choi, 2 weeks Handicraft Garmen
t
5000
5 Champa
Bisht
34 Married Higher
Secondary
Choi 10 days Tie & Die Textile 5000

12. Case Analysis
As per Sharma et al., 2012 Previous works and NGO efforts lack to
provide immediate livelihood to the women due to the challenges like
Unavailability of infrastructure and funds,
Mobility constraints for rural women,
Male domination,
Illiteracy of women,
Lack of effective leaders or trainers and
Family responsibility of women
This loophole was identified by Mr Ankur Bhatnagar and to handle the
existing challenges, his NGO “SBBES” focussed on empowering these
rural women by attaining immediate livelihood through free training
sessions.

13. Major Findings of the study
• Women empowerment occurs through venture creation
and entrepreneurship, which can be attained with proper
training and information.
• Motivation and effective leadership help women in
gaining confidence, and they aim to achieve their goals.
• Proper information about government policies,
networking with customers, relationship with self-help
groups (SHGs) and NGOs also help them in attaining
empowerment

14. Themes of women empowerment achieved through
NGO support
Table 2. Themes of Women Empowerment achieved through NGO support
No. Theme Achievement in case
1. Economic
Independence
The respondents explained that, with the training provided by NGOs along with free counselling, information, and awareness about easy or collateral
free loan schemes by government, and access to customers helped them a lot in starting their own venture with limited amount and resources. They do
not have to depend upon anyone for earning their livelihood. They had their own ventures or services and they are now economically independent too.
2. Social Identity SBBES introduced these trainee women to several other self help groups and government welfare programmes for women who further helped them in
tapping more customers and markets, developing contacts and networks, and also attaining certified training to establish them professionally. It also
makes their position strong in family and they can participate in decision making in their homes. With more networking they will be able to expand their
ventures and help other women to empower and contribute towards national growth and sustainability. They are able to establish their own identity in
society as they are now known for their products and services.
3. Attaining Self-
Confidence
SBBES NGO not only train and skill women to start their own venture but also counsel them to develop confidence and help them in developing their
personality. With this motivation and enthusiasm they develop confidence to present their products, negotiate with customers, make more networks and
take small steps towards their success. They learn to present themselves in a more enhanced manner and also develop their personality.
4. Achieving
freedom and
mobility
These respondents had to face critical condition in their families due to which they were forbidden to attain education, learn something, work
somewhere, or to start any entrepreneurial venture of their own. SBBES helped them in coming out of these problems and live their life on their own.
This training camp helped women to empower and feel free from all burden and tensions. They also ensure their free mobility by guiding them and
counselling them.
5 Creativity and
Innovation
Women are considered as imaginative and creative and once they are empowered they produce more creative and innovative results. With the training
and support of SBBES their creativity enhanced leading to innovative outcomes in the form of home décor items, recycled products, tie and die,
painting, stitching, knitting, food items, etc. Respondents were able to give their imagination reality in the form of their art and craft products. They use
their skills and talent in developing their products which give them profits and encourage them to create more novel products.
6 Achievement
Motive
With the guidance and counselling from the members of SBBES women participants attained tremendous confidence and they aim to achieve more in
their life. They used their training and learning in obtaining better standards of living and establishing themselves as a role model for others.

15. Figure 3: Conceptual Framework depicting themes of Women empowerment
Role of
NGOs
Economic Independence
Social Identity
Attaining Self-
Confidence
Freedom and Mobility
Creativity and
Innovation
Women
Empowerment
Achievement Motive

16. Implications of the Study
• Social Implications: Women need to be more socialised and develop a
habit of partnership with their friends and neighbours to extend their
ventures (Dixit et al., 2020). To meet the demand of sustainable and
green environment, women must be trained about green
manufacturing and to prepare products which are environmentally
friendly and sustainable (Agarwal et al., 2020). Instead of initiating
new policies, government must review their existing policies and
provide equal opportunities to increase female workforce.
• Practical Implications: This study indicates to the government and
researchers that, instead of initiating new policies, it is important to
focus on the existing policies and improve them. NGOs or SHGs must
focus on providing immediate livelihood through venture creation or
entrepreneurial activities

17. Limitations and Future Scope of Study
• Study has surveyed only those women who were registered as trainees in the training camp
organised in few villages of Kashipur district in Uttarakhand region of India.
• Other villages and rural areas in districts of Bhimtal, Nainital, Ramnagar, Dehradun and
Almora, still need to be surveyed in future.
• Such training and research initiatives must be undertaken in other states of India, including
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat to empower the women and
improve their status in society.
• This study has presented only five case studies which is very less but these were among those
few trainees who actually improved their position in family and society. However, this
limitation will be fulfilled in future studies.
• Future research will also focus on investigating the impact of women empowerment on
creativity and innovation and economic sustainability of the nation.