In a transformative era where digital skills are pivotal for employability and economic empowerment, initiatives taken by NGOs have emerged as beacons of change, particularly for women. Despite the surge in digital skill development programs, 73% of Indian graduates remain unemployed due to skill gaps. Government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Skill India, and Digital India are yet to fill the skill gap successfully. Recognizing this, NGOs have played an instrumental role in bridging this gap.
During my internship with an NGO, I conducted comprehensive surveys across Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Delhi, Bihar, and Kolkata.
Interviews conducted in Bihar and Jharkhand underscored the transformative impact NGOs' digital skill development programs brought into their life.The surveys and subsequent analysis revealed that despite the increasing participation of women in the workforce, they continue to struggle with household responsibilities.
In telephonic interviews, women shared stories of overcoming career gaps and regaining independence through placement guarantee courses offered by NGOs.
At the same time, in an interview with a woman who migrated to Bangalore to support her family, she narrated how, after her father's demise during COVID-19, an NGO training program helped her improve her communication skills to support her family.
Another interviewee described gaining confidence and a voice in her family's decisionmaking processes after completing an NGO's training courses and securing a job in a top company. These anecdotes underscored the empowering effects of digital training programs on women's decision-making independence.
Extensive surveys revealed that most women emphasized the importance of financial autonomy and expressed a desire to control their earnings.
Throughout my survey experiences, I had the chance to boost the morale of students preparing for government exams who were struggling with depression and lack of confidence. Over 80% of the female participants I interviewed were unfamiliar with various government schemes related to employment, savings, unemployment support, and other benefits. I took the opportunity to educate these women about these schemes, drawing upon the knowledge I had gained while preparing for the UPSC exams—an area requiring focused attention for inclusive growth.
A positive trend emerged as over 90% of surveyed women had attained at least a graduationlevel education and expressed interest in learning and earning opportunities. Excel, English communication, and IT courses were particularly popular, which helped them to enhance their confidence, collaboration skills, and career prospects.
Although India has made strides in several areas of progress, traditional societal expectations concerning aspects such as family size, caste, and religion remain entrenched, especially among women from marginalized communities. This underscores the ongoing necessity for initiatives promoting inclusivity and normalizing diverse perspectives.
Despite strides in women's empowerment, there remains a prevalent belief that household duties are primarily a woman's responsibility, contrasting with the notion of shared responsibilities.
A notable shift in societal perception was observed regarding reporting abusive behavior, reflecting a growing recognition of the importance of self-advocacy and standing against injustice. However, challenges persist for women traveling alone, highlighting the need for improved safety measures and support systems.
Though the NGOs are trying their best to transform the lives of thousands, there are still women who struggle to find employment—a reminder of the ongoing need to provide assistance and support to marginalized women.
There is also a noticeable gap in NGOs' support, as they need to reach out to women who had to discontinue their training courses due to unforeseen circumstances. Despite expressing interest in job opportunities, some women need help to connect with relevant institutions. Challenges persist, with some individuals still awaiting certificates even after completing their courses and making multiple visits to the institution.
Furthermore, students from earlier batches, like those from 2018, have expressed the need for increased job opportunities from MNCs such as TCS, Wipro, Accenture, and Capgemini, which have ceased recruitment recently. While some students have successfully stayed in touch with their teachers and obtained support, others continue to seek guidance.
Moreover, the NGO's approach should extend beyond skill development to ensure sustained student support through initiatives like continuous engagement post-placement, which will nurture a supportive ecosystem conducive to long-term success.
As India gears up to meet the demands of emerging sectors like Artificial Intelligence (AI), NGOs should expand their programs towards advanced skill development areas aligning with the evolving job market by embracing Artificial Intelligence, Data Mining, and Sustainability programs as NGOs poised to empower women for the jobs of tomorrow.
Collaboration is crucial in light of the projected surge in demand for AI professionals to leverage India's demographic dividend.
In conclusion, NGOs' initiatives for empowering women pave the way for the nation's inclusive growth and continued economic prosperity.
As we navigate towards a future defined by digital prowess, supporting NGOs, especially those working in the education sector, is paramount to ensuring India's demographic dividend remains a catalyst for economic prosperity. It's time for concerted efforts to make states like Bihar and Jharkhand hubs of employability, ensuring no one is left behind in India's digital revolution.