New Delhi witnessed a powerful call for gender equality in development on Thursday as Dr. Preeti Adani, Chairperson of Adani Foundation, addressed the ‘Empowered Women, Developed India’ program organized by the Center for Research and Policy Studies. She asserted that no nation in history has achieved sustainable progress by sidelining half its population from economic activities.
Drawing lessons from India’s rich past, Dr. Adani emphasized the untapped potential of women that must be harnessed for the country’s future. In rural areas, the Adani Foundation has mobilized women into dairy cooperatives, connecting over 3,500 rural women who now collect nearly 75 lakh liters of milk annually. This initiative has stabilized their incomes, enhanced bargaining power, and most crucially, boosted their self-confidence.
Highlighting the stark educational disparities in remote villages where the foundation operates, she noted that many girls lack even basic schooling, let alone higher education. ‘Education and skill development are non-negotiable,’ she stressed, advocating for a holistic approach to women’s empowerment.
This comprehensive strategy, according to Dr. Adani, should encompass girls’ education, vocational training for young women, financial aid, digital literacy, healthcare, leadership programs, and market linkages for women-led enterprises. Girls who stay in school are less likely to marry early, paving the way for employment opportunities. Training in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, digital services, renewable energy, and manufacturing can make young women economically independent.
She praised government initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana for providing loans to small entrepreneurs, Digital India for bridging the digital divide, and PM Ujjwala Yojana for delivering clean fuel to millions, improving health and dignity.
However, Dr. Adani cautioned that loans alone aren’t enough for women-led businesses. They need skills, digital know-how, market access, infrastructure, mentorship, and a supportive ecosystem. ‘India’s next growth story will be written by confident women in schools, training centers, village enterprises, and digital markets,’ she concluded with optimism.