From Training to Transformation: The Role of Skill India in Empowering Women through Self-Employment

AbstractThe government has taken numerous steps to promote women’s employability in the workplace, aiming to increase the number of women in the mainstream workforce. In addition, many women work in the traditional and unorganised sectors, which do not guarantee them a job or a salary, which prevents them from rising in society and keeps them in a lesser position. Therefore, to strengthen the nation’s socioeconomic standing, the gap between men and women must be closed as soon as possible. As a result, the Government of India established the Skill India Mission in 2015, which offers a unique program designed to increase women’s employability by including them in training to build their skills. Promoting self-employment as a feasible means of subsistence is one of its main goals to empower women. Through a thorough examination of secondary data, this research investigates the contribution of Skill India to the advancement of women’s self-employment. The results demonstrate that although women’s participation in skill- building programs has steadily increased, approaching 48% in recent years, the actual shift to self- employment is still very small, averaging only 11%. Results are further limited by geographical differences, sectoral concentration in traditionally female-dominated fields, and a lack of financial and mentorship support after training.