Page 16 - 10x GOOD April_V2
P. 16
&T Finance Ltd. (LTF), one of the leading Non- women entrepreneurs from the communities, providing
Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) has them with upskilling and enterprise development training
empowered over 42 lakh community members to help them build their businesses and enhance their
so far through the ‘Digital Sakhi’ program livelihoods.
Lwhich is a key initiative under Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR). In FY 2023-24, under the program, LTF has successfully
empanelled 400 Sakhis in the new geographies of Uttar
DIGITAL SAKHI: The program which was initiated in 2017, has consistently Pradesh (Gorakhpur), Bihar (Supaul), Tamil Nadu (Madurai),
expanded its geographical footprint in 7 states namely,
and West Bengal (Murshidabad).
Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal,
Odisha, Karnataka and Kerala with a cadre of 1,370 trained
Across existing and new program locations of Digital
EMPOWERING Digital Sakhis over the years. The aim of the program is to Sakhis, there has been a commendable 12 percent increase
in the adoption of digital payments among the community
create awareness on Digital and Financial Literacy amongst
members, promoting a cashless economy and enhancing
the rural population.
financial inclusion.
RURAL INDIA Speaking about the progress of the Digital Sakhi program, Progress made in the last financial year
Ms. Apurva Rathod, Company Secretary & Chief
Sustainability Officer at LTF recently said, “Our Digital
The Digital Sakhi project in Uttar Pradesh at Gorakhpur
Sakhis have played an active role in bridging the last mile
gap and facilitating convergence of government schemes,
first year of the project, more than 1,25,000 individuals
conducting sessions in Gram Sabhas and the State district was launched in the last financial year and in the
were reached through various awareness activities.
Digital Sakhi equips rural women with the skills and knowledge to Rural Livelihood Mission programs and supporting the Similarly, the project was launched in Bihar at Supaul
community to obtain the benefits of government schemes.
confidently impart Digital and Financial Literacy (DFL) training to The efforts of Digital Sakhis have been instrumental district and it has started to show results on the ground.
In the first year of the project, more than 1,00,000
households in their communities and nurture an ecosystem of digital in bringing the larger community into the ambit of individuals were reached through various awareness
financial transactions entitlements. Our Digital Sakhi project has continued activities.
to invigorate the women empowerment narrative with
many women rising up the ranks, from the confines of The Digital Sakhi project was also launched in Tamil
Nadu at Madurai district and in the initial year, more
their homes to being change agents in their community. In than 1,00,000 individuals were reached through various
FY24, our Digital Sakhis have effectively helped empower awareness activities.
over 11 lakh rural communities by promoting digital
financial inclusion, providing impetus to 2,400 women Lastly, the project in West Bengal at Murshidabad
entrepreneurs.” district was launched last year and during the year more
than 1,00,000 individuals were reached through various
Digital Sakhi is a flagship program of LTF, that equips awareness activities in the first year.
rural women with the skills and knowledge to confidently
impart Digital and Financial Literacy
(DFL) training to households in their
communities and nurture an ecosystem
of digital financial transactions. The
program focuses on Sustainable
Development Goal (SDG) 5 – Gender
Equality, wherein women are identified
from rural communities and trained
extensively on DFL, leadership, and
technology. These women are called
“Digital Sakhis‟. Each Sakhi is equipped
with a mobile tablet with preloaded DFL
modules. The program also nurtures
16 17