Accelerating Growth by Empowering Women

In an interesting development, a women-centric Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) centre has been set up at the Integrated Business Hub and Innovation Centre (IBHIC) in Dimapur. Established by the JSW Shakti Foundation as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, in partnership with the Nagaland government through the Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), the centre, which is a first of its kind in the Northeast, aims to empower women by creating sustainable employment, building skills and expanding livelihood opportunities. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio described the initiative as a significant step towards achieving the government's vision of promoting women's entrepreneurship, skill development, and employment in the state, and that the centre will offer training and job opportunities, especially for underprivileged women. This development is undoubtedly crucial for improving the employment landscape of a state that has long relied on government jobs, despite grappling with a severe unemployment crisis. What better way to accelerate growth and promote inclusive development in the state than by giving women the wings to fly, empowering them to build their careers and help them achieve financial independence?

Women are the backbone of Nagaland's economy. Despite the challenges posed by our patriarchal society, they continue to support their families and significantly contribute to the state's economy. You can find them everywhere—in paddy fields, farms, sidewalks, local markets, and offices—participating in a range of economic activities, primarily in the informal sector. They sustain agriculture, preserve traditional crafts, and manage enterprises. However, mere recognition is insufficient, and celebrating their achievements and resilience in the face of unaddressed challenges would be unjust. So, the newly set up BPO centre is no doubt a significant move towards empowering women. The government should ensure that deserving individuals have access to skill training programmes, leading to meaningful employment or sustainable livelihoods. It is also worth noting that the government has launched several other skill training programmes, including LaunchPad Nagaland, which offers career guidance and employability skills for students; Mobile Skill Morungs, aimed at rural women; and various other initiatives across sectors such as hospitality and sports. However, the success of such initiatives should be assessed not by the number of people trained, but by the positive outcomes achieved. To ensure that skill training results in meaningful outcomes and enables businesses to thrive, the government must provide support at various levels, including market linkages and access to credit.