In a path-breaking initiative, theMinister of Women
and Child Development, Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi launched “Mahila e-Haat”, an
online marketing platform for women in New Delhi today. Mahila e-Haat is a
unique online platform where participants can display their products. It is an
initiative for women across the country as a part of ‘Digital India’ and ‘Stand
Up India’ initiatives of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.
Speaking on the occasion, Smt Maneka Gandhi said
that this initiative can prove to be a game changer since it will provide
access to markets to thousands of women who make products and are spread all
over the country but have little access to markets. The initiative is unique
since this is the first time that the government will help women to sell
products online, the Minister added. Congratulating RahstriyaMahilaKosh and all
those involved in creating the portal, Smt Maneka Gandhi said that it is web
page based and has unlimited reach and can, therefore become catalyst in
creating a new generation of business women.
Smt
Maneka Sanjay Gandhi explained that the endeavor will help women to make
financial and economic choices which will enable them to be a part of ‘Make in
India’ and ‘Stand Up India’ initiatives of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra
Modi.
The Minister said that this empowerment of women
will take place in three stages in which Mahila E-Haat is the first stage. In
the second stage, it is planned to integrate it with e-commerce portals to
provide a larger platform for selling and buying. Ultimately it will culminate
into Women’s Entrepreneurs Council which will help to expand this initiative further
and give it an institutional shape.
In
his introductory remarks, Secretary WCD, Shri V. Somasundaran said that the
Mahila E-Haat will help to meet the goal of financial inclusion of women and it
is a big step forward for empowerment of women.
Mahila E-Haat is an initiative for meeting
aspirations and need of women entrepreneurs which will leverage technology for
showcasing products made/manufactured/sold by women entrepreneurs. They can
even showcase those services being provided by them which reflect creative
potential e.g. tailoring. This unique e-platform will strengthen the
socio-economic empowerment of women as it will mobilize and provide better
avenues to them. More than 10000 Self Help Groups (SHGs) and 1.25 Lakh women
beneficiaries would be benefited from the day of launch of the site itself.
Participation in e-Haat is open to all Indian women citizens more than 18 years
of age and women SHGs desiring for marketing their legal products/services
after indemnifying RMK from any or all acts of transaction.
The
e-Haat is expected to result in paradigm shift enabling women to exercise
control over their finances. The entire business of e-Haat can be handled through
mobile phone. The product, along with photograph description, cost and mobile
no./address of the participants will be displayed on the e-Haat enabling direct
contact between sellers/service providers and buyers.
The
Mahila e-Haat portal can be accessed at http://mahilaehaat-rmk.gov.in
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