Over 7 lakh women in Jammu and Kashmir have joined 80,000 self-help groups (SHGs) through the UMEED scheme. This marks a big step forward in empowering women and helping them become financially independent in the region.
The UMEED scheme started in 2019 under the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission (JKRLM). It aims to help women from marginalized communities by involving them in sustainable livelihood projects. A senior JKRLM official said that the UMEED scheme is key to the government’s efforts to empower women. “These SHGs provide crucial support, allowing women to start their own businesses and gain financial independence,” the official explained.
One inspiring story is of Sabiya Jan from North Kashmir. She has grown her boutique business while training hundreds of young women in her area. “The scheme empowers us to support our families and take charge of our lives,” Sabiya said.
JKRLM’s outreach covers 125 blocks across Jammu and Kashmir, aiming to benefit 66 percent of the rural population.
