- Swabhimaan – The Rise of SHE celebrates resilience and success stories of underprivileged women entrepreneurs in Mumbai
- Adani Foundation, MAVIM and BMC partnership enables skills, financial literacy and market access for women
- Initiative transforms Self-Help Groups into enterprise-driven collectives building sustainable livelihoods
- New phase launched to empower 1 lakh women in Maharashtra and 10 lakh women across India
NE WOMEN EMPOWERMENT BUREAU
MUMBAI, MAR 12
A powerful celebration of dignity, entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment unfolded in Mumbai as Swabhimaan – The Rise of SHE honoured the remarkable journeys of more than 4,500 urban underprivileged women who have transformed their lives through skill development, financial literacy and entrepreneurship.
Addressing the gathering, Priti Adani highlighted how empowering women is one of the most powerful drivers of social and economic transformation.
“Empowering a woman is not just helping an individual. It is an investment in the future of generations. When women earn, almost 90 percent of their income is spent on education, health and family welfare.”
The event celebrated the success stories of women from Mumbai’s urban communities, including Dharavi, who have started small businesses and strengthened their families’ livelihoods through the Adani Foundation initiative Swabhimaan.
From resilience to entrepreneurship — urban women from Mumbai transform their lives through skills, enterprise and financial empowerment. – NE photo
A Movement for Dignity and Self-Reliance
Priti Adani described Swabhimaan not merely as a programme but as a movement driven by courage and self-belief.
“Swabhimaan is not just a programme. It is an idea. It is the story of women who chose to live their lives with confidence and dignity.”
The initiative, launched in partnership with Adani Electricity Mumbai Limited and Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal, has enabled women to build enterprises through training in financial literacy, digital tools and business management.
More than 4,500 women in Mumbai have already benefited from the programme, transforming self-help groups into Enterprise Self-Help Groups (ESHGs) and launching sustainable micro-businesses.
Building Opportunities, Not Charity
Highlighting the broader philosophy behind the initiative, Priti Adani stressed that women’s empowerment must go beyond financial assistance.
“Women’s empowerment does not come from charity. It comes from opportunity, from building capabilities and from creating possibilities.”
She added that initiatives like Swabhimaan provide women with the confidence to make decisions, manage finances and expand their businesses.
“The objective is clear — to give independence, build confidence and develop the power of decision-making.”
From Skill to Enterprise
The programme equips women with skills, financial literacy and access to markets, enabling them to build sustainable businesses.
Women participating in Swabhimaan are trained in business planning, savings and responsible loan repayment while gaining exposure to digital systems and modern enterprise tools.
According to Priti Adani, conversations with Swabhimaan women often revolve around entrepreneurship and family progress.
“When I interact with Swabhimaan women, their conversations are about how to grow their small businesses, how to price their products correctly, how to repay loans responsibly and how to save for the future. They also think deeply about how to create better opportunities for their children.”
Inspired by India’s Women Pioneers
Drawing inspiration from the legacy of Savitribai Phule, India’s first female teacher, Priti Adani emphasised the transformative power of women’s education.
“Savitribai Phule believed that educating a girl is the beginning of transforming society. Even today, that idea remains as relevant as ever.”
She noted that India’s female literacy rate has risen dramatically — from around 8 percent at the time of independence to more than 75 percent today — thanks to the resilience of countless women who overcame barriers.
New Chapter: Scaling Women’s Empowerment
Announcing the next phase of the initiative, Priti Adani revealed an ambitious expansion plan.
“A new chapter of Swabhimaan begins today under the leadership of the Adani Foundation. In the first year, we aim to connect 1 lakh women in Maharashtra, and our long-term commitment is to empower 10 lakh women across India.”
The programme aligns with the Government of India’s Viksit Bharat vision, recognising that inclusive growth requires stronger participation of women in the economy.
Partnership Driving Change
Priti Adani expressed gratitude to key institutional partners for enabling the programme’s impact.
She thanked Aditi Tatkare for her support and guidance in strengthening collaboration with MAVIM.
She also acknowledged Nandini Awade for her partnership in organising and mobilising women’s self-help groups.
The role of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation was also highlighted, particularly in enabling infrastructure support such as Swateja Marts and strengthening educational initiatives across municipal schools.
Education and Empowerment Go Hand in Hand
Priti Adani also praised the civic body’s vision for education.
With support from BMC, the Adani Foundation is currently working with 947 municipal schools across eight mediums to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy so that every child builds a strong academic foundation.
Celebrating the Rise of SHE
The event Swabhimaan – The Rise of SHE served as a tribute to the determination and courage of women entrepreneurs who turned opportunity into transformation.
Swabhimaan stalls showcased products and services created by women entrepreneurs, demonstrating how skill development and institutional support can unlock economic independence.
“When women become empowered, they gain identity, self-respect and pride. Their families feel proud of them and their communities witness real social and economic transformation,” Priti Adani said.
