About Women on wings
Women on Wings: Empowering Women in Rural India
Women on Wings is a social enterprise that aims to create one million jobs for women in rural India. The organization was founded in 2007 by Maria van der Heijden and Ellen Tacoma, two Dutch entrepreneurs who wanted to make a difference in the lives of women living in poverty.
The mission of Women on Wings is to empower women by providing them with the skills and resources they need to start their own businesses. The organization works with local partners in India to identify opportunities for job creation and then provides training, mentoring, and access to markets for women entrepreneurs.
One of the key challenges facing rural communities in India is the lack of economic opportunities for women. Many women are trapped in low-paying jobs or are forced to work as unpaid laborers on family farms. Women on Wings believes that empowering these women through entrepreneurship can help break this cycle of poverty.
To achieve its goal of creating one million jobs, Women on Wings has developed a unique model that combines business expertise with social impact. The organization works with a network of more than 40 business experts who volunteer their time and skills to support women entrepreneurs.
These experts come from a wide range of industries, including marketing, finance, logistics, and product development. They work closely with local partners and entrepreneurs to develop sustainable business models that can create long-term employment opportunities for rural communities.
One example of this approach is Women on Wings' partnership with Rangsutra Crafts India Ltd., a social enterprise that empowers artisans from marginalized communities across India. Through this partnership, Women on Wings provided Rangsutra's artisans with training in product design and marketing strategies. As a result, Rangsutra was able to expand its market reach and increase its sales by more than 50%.
Another successful initiative launched by Women on Wings is Project Nirmaan (meaning "transformation" in Hindi), which focuses specifically on creating employment opportunities for women in the dairy sector. Through this project, Women on Wings has partnered with local dairy cooperatives to provide training and support for women who want to start their own milk collection and processing businesses.
The impact of Women on Wings' work can be seen in the stories of individual entrepreneurs who have benefited from the organization's support. One such entrepreneur is Sunita Devi, a mother of three from a small village in Uttar Pradesh. With the help of Women on Wings, Sunita was able to start her own business selling handmade baskets made from locally sourced materials. Today, she employs more than 20 women from her community and has become a role model for other aspiring entrepreneurs.
In addition to its work with women entrepreneurs, Women on Wings also advocates for policies that promote gender equality and economic empowerment for women in India. The organization has been recognized by the Indian government for its contributions to social development and has received numerous awards for its innovative approach to job creation.
Overall, Women on Wings is an inspiring example of how business expertise can be leveraged to create positive social change. By empowering women through entrepreneurship, the organization is helping to build stronger communities and break down barriers that have kept rural women trapped in poverty for generations.