JICA highlights its empowerment initiatives in India to mark International Women's Day 2024

JICA highlights its empowerment initiatives in India to mark International Women's Day 2024

New Delhi, March 08, 2024: In line with the global theme of ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’ for International Women’s Day 2024, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is highlighting its impactful projects aimed at empowering women across India. These initiatives have created numerous opportunities for women, recognising their crucial role in advancing society. JICA emphasises the critical importance of empowering women and harnessing their potential to foster positive change and development.

With a commitment to promoting an inclusive environment for women, JICA has initiated and supported numerous projects across different states including Chennai, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Meghalaya. These projects aim not only to empower women but also to strengthen their participation in various sectors, catalysing a societal evolution and ensuring enhanced safety of women.

Some of these groundbreaking initiatives are:

Chennai Metro Pink Squad Initiative: Introduced by Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) and supported by JICA, the Pink Squad Initiative, has empowered women with safe and affordable public transport options, thereby alleviating travel apprehensions hindering women's mobility for work and education.

Rajasthan Water Sector Livelihood Improvement Project: Showcasing resilience amidst water scarcity, women from Kayaria, exhibited extraordinary leadership during the 2019 rabi season. Their stewardship ensured effective water distribution, catalysing positive community transformation alongside the Water User Association (WUA).

Jharkhand Horticulture Intensification by Micro Drip Irrigation (JHIMDI) Project in Jharkhand: In collaboration with JSLPS (Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society) and DAY-NRLM (Deen Dayal Upadhyay-National Rural Livelihood Mission), this project, aimed to revolutionise farming in Jharkhand with Micro Drip Irrigation (MDI). Inspired by the project, Pooja Soren, a tribal farmer woman, embraced MDI, securing a loan for installation and deep-boring to ensure water resources on her farm.

Joint Forest Management Committee in West Bengal: As part of a conservation and development initiative, JICA offered economic empowerment opportunities for women like Mithu Badyakar to strengthen their businesses, while facing financial constraints. Mithu and her husband signed up for a JICA-initiated loan programme, which resulted in significant profits, enabling them to enhance their children's education.

Sustainable Community Forest Management Project in Meghalaya: As part of the Sustainable Community Forest Management Project in Meghalaya, the women of Sylleibah Village in Mairang Block spearheaded a project to revitalise 26.8 hectares of land through Agroforestry Regeneration. Their commitment to environmental conservation and community well-being was instrumental in driving this initiative.

Mr. SAITO Mitsunori, Chief Representative, JICA India said, “While considerable progress has been made towards women's inclusion, disparities persist in regions where opportunities for women remain limited. At JICA, our mission has been to consistently contribute to society by initiating programmes for women, enabling them to create better lives for themselves, their families, and the community at large. It is incumbent upon governments and the private sector to collaborate in fostering an environment conducive to women's advancement, encompassing education, skill development, access to finance and technology, and inclusive policies combatting gender-based discrimination. I am proud to share that we have launched such projects aimed at empowering women, and our aim is to introduce more such initiatives that can help women realise their full potential and contribute to their development and of their communities."

JICA continues to support women and promote gender parity across sectors such as forestry, health, agriculture, transport, finance and water and sanitation. These initiatives serve as a necessary tool to equip women with the knowledge and support to actively participate in infrastructural development and environmental preservation efforts. By investing in their capabilities, JICA aims to create more inclusive and sustainable communities across India.

About JICA:
Established by a specific law, as an incorporated administrative institution under the Government of Japan, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aims to contribute to the promotion of international cooperation, as the sole Japanese governmental agency in charge of ODA (Official Development Assistance) implementation. JICA is the world's largest bilateral donor agency and works as a bridge between Japan and emerging countries, providing assistance in the form of loans, grants, and technical cooperation, to enable the emerging countries to strengthen their capabilities.