The Indian Institute of Youth Welfare (IIYW) is committed to advancing gender equality and enabling women to lead independent, dignified, and self-reliant lives. For over five decades, our Women Empowerment programs have reached thousands of women from marginalized, tribal, rural, and urban slum communities, equipping them with the tools they need to overcome social and economic barriers.

Through vocational training, self-help group (SHG) formation, financial inclusion, and gender awareness, we focus on transforming women into leaders, earners, and decision-makers within their families and communities.

Objectives

• To provide skill training and livelihood opportunities for economic independence

• To promote gender equality and rights awareness among women and communities

• To build leadership, confidence, and self-esteem among women

• To support mother-headed households with microfinance and income generation

• To strengthen SHGs and cooperative networks for collective empowerment

Key Initiatives

Vocational Training & Livelihoods

• Tailoring, beauty culture, soft toy making, bag making, snacks preparation

• Digital literacy, financial education, and entrepreneurship skills

• Short-term and practical training for women in rural and urban areas

• Over 16,950 women trained in income-generating trades

Self-Help Groups (SHGs) & Cooperatives

• Formation and training of 900+ women SHGs across multiple districts

• SHG linkage with banks for savings, credit, and microenterprise support

• Promotion of women-run cooperatives for sustainable income

• Training in bookkeeping, leadership, and group management

Health, Hygiene, and Gender Sensitization

• Awareness sessions on menstrual hygiene, sanitation, and nutrition

• Family and reproductive health education

• Gender equity training in schools, communities, and Panchayati Raj Institutions

• Mother-headed families project uplifted 2,000+ BPL families through micro-livelihoods

Women in Agriculture

• Krishi Saptak Yojana training in improved farming practices for rural women

• Confidence-building, exposure visits, and gender workshops for farmer women

• Promotion of organic farming and sustainable agriculture practices

Legal Literacy & Family Support

• Family Counseling Centre to support women in distress

• Legal aid and rights-based counseling for victims of domestic violence

• Mediation, dispute resolution, and referral support through two active centers

Impact

• Empowered thousands of women to become income earners and entrepreneurs

• Improved participation of women in local governance and community leadership

• Supported women to gain financial independence, social confidence, and legal awareness

• Built a strong network of women-led SHGs and cooperatives across Vidarbha

Recognition & Support

• Programs supported by BORDA-BMZ Germany, District Rural Development Agencies, and ICDS

• Integrated with flagship government schemes like DDU-GKY, BRGF, and MNGO Scheme

• Recognized by National CSR Hub and empowered under 80G and FCRA frameworks