Uttar Pradesh under CM Yogi Adityanath is scripting a new chapter in rural women’s empowerment. The National Rural Livelihood Mission, previously limited to a handful of blocks, has exploded in reach—from 104 in the mid-2010s to 826 across 75 districts today. This dramatic eight-fold growth underscores the government’s commitment to inclusive development.
More than 1.06 crore women have joined SHGs, gaining skills in lucrative areas such as apparel manufacturing, artisanal crafts, agro-processing, livestock management, cosmetics, and sustainable agriculture. No longer passive recipients of aid, these women are emerging as entrepreneurs, generating employment and reshaping rural livelihoods.
Key enablers include seamless access to bank credit, robust marketing networks, and skill enhancement programs. This holistic approach has spurred rural income growth, with SHG products now gracing e-commerce sites and reaching urban markets directly.
The initiative’s ambition is bold: create women-led enterprise hubs in every village. This strategy not only promotes self-reliance but also multiplies impact through peer training. As UP marches towards a developed future, the empowered women at its grassroots are the true architects of progress.