Aims to touch the lives of over 9 Lakh people through digital financial inclusion in Karnataka. Successfully implemented Digital Sakhi projects in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and West Bengal Digital financial literacy extended to over 8.60 Lakh community members across five states in FY22 Customized training module for each state basis baseline-and-needs assessment survey
Financial Services (LTFS), a leading non-banking financial company, today announced the inauguration of its Digital Sakhi project in Karnataka. The flagship CSR project of the Company – ‘Digital Sakhi’ – trains and nurtures rural women, who in turn promote women’s entrepreneurship and Digital Financial Literacy (DFL) in their communities.
The inauguration of the project in Karnataka follows the success of the Digital Sakhi projects implemented in the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and West Bengal. Since its inception in 2017, Digital Sakhi projects have created a cadre of 960 Digital Sakhis who have helped upskill over 5,500 women entrepreneurs. In FY22 alone, Digital Sakhis trained and empowered more than 8.60 Lakh people across five states on DFL.
Through the project in Karnataka, LTFS endeavors to create a cadre of over 300 Digital Sakhis as digital enablers, who, in turn, will impart DFL training to over 9 Lakh community members covering topics like digital modes of payments, access to government entitlements, goal-based savings, etc. In addition, the project aims to support over 3,000 women entrepreneurs in establishing and scaling their micro-enterprises through upskilling and enterprise-development training.
Mr. Dinanath Dubhashi, Managing Director & CEO of L&T Finance Holdings, said, “Many of our retail businesses directly engage with rural communities giving us an all-encompassing view of customers’ needs, including the gaps that exist within the community. In 2017, addressing this gap was the genesis of our flagship Digital Sakhi program, which has resulted in significant achievements across all states where the projects have been implemented. Our Digital Sakhis have effectively helped empower rural communities they operate in by promoting digital financial inclusion, providing impetus to women empowerment and gender equality, thereby strengthening the nation at the grassroots level and contributing to the overall national development agenda.”
“Economic inequalities and social prejudices have denied women equal footing and opportunities. India aspires to be a true world leader where every citizen does not struggle for basic needs and necessities. Technology promises to be a great equalizer if employed for the right causes and sensitively. The effort of LTFS to introduce cutting-edge solutions in financial inclusion with the right social architecture where rural women themselves will champion the cause is transformative. At the scale of 4 lakh households, it will be a large initiative helping India to achieve its mission of Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
Mr. G.V. Krishnagopal, Executive Director, Access Livelihood Foundation
