- Women’s empowerment is lending new strength to the rural economy; women are advancing towards self-reliance and self-employment
- Savings, banking, skill development, and livelihood opportunities are bringing positive changes to women’s lives
A new picture of women’s empowerment and economic self-reliance is emerging in the rural areas of Chhattisgarh. Rural women, who were once confined to domestic responsibilities, are now organizing themselves and increasing their participation in economic activities. The ‘Bihan’ scheme, implemented under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, is not only making women self-reliant but also providing new strength to the rural economy. In the Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi (GPM) district, thousands of women have organized into Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and are moving towards savings, financial management, self-employment, and new livelihood opportunities. The Bihan Mission is proving to be a significant initiative—not merely a means of economic empowerment for women, but also a catalyst for boosting self-confidence, leadership capabilities, and social participation.
- 59,524 women organized into 5,576 Self-Help Groups
Continuous efforts are being made in the district to organize women and empower them economically under the Bihan Mission. According to the mission’s progress report as of October 13, 2026, a total of 5,576 Self-Help Groups have been formed in the district, involving 59,524 women. This achievement reflects the growing confidence among rural women regarding collective organization, economic awareness, and self-reliance.
Block-wise data indicates that 19,654 women are associated with 1,828 Self-Help Groups in the Gaurela development block. Similarly, 17,612 women have been organized through 1,603 groups in Pendra development block, and 22,258 women through 2,145 groups in Marwahi development block. Marwahi development block leads the district in terms of the number of groups and women’s participation. These groups provide a common platform for rural women to participate in decision-making regarding their economic needs, savings, livelihoods, and collective development.
- 676 New Groups Formed and Over 12,000 Women Joined in the Current Financial Year
The expansion of the ‘Bihan Mission’ continues steadily in the district, fostering women’s empowerment. So far in the current financial year, 676 new self-help groups have been formed, bringing 12,029 women into the fold. The formation of these new groups marks a significant achievement in organizing women and increasing their participation in economic activities in rural areas.
In the current financial year, 211 new self-help groups have been formed in Gaurela development block, engaging 4,189 women. Meanwhile, 3,302 women have joined through 130 new groups in Pendra development block, and 4,538 women through 335 new groups in Marwahi development block. These figures clearly indicate that efforts to bring women into collective organizations have gained momentum across all three development blocks of the district. The formation of new groups, particularly in Marwahi development block, reflects the growing participation of women.
- Steps Towards Economic Self-Reliance Through Savings and Banking
A key feature of the Bihan Mission is raising awareness among rural women about financial management. Self-help groups provide women with opportunities to cultivate the habit of regular saving, make collective financial decisions, and connect with the banking system. Through these groups, women can pool their small savings to meet economic needs and build a financial foundation for future plans.
The mission places special emphasis on connecting women with banking services, credit facilities, and financial literacy. This facilitates easier access to formal financial institutions for rural women and increases the prospects of mobilizing the resources necessary for self-employment. Increased participation in economic activities not only allows women to contribute to family income but also strengthens their decision-making capabilities.
- New Livelihood Opportunities through Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Local Products
The objective of the Bihan Mission is not merely to link women with self-help groups but also to encourage them to engage in sustainable livelihoods and income-generating activities. Rural areas offer vast potential for self-employment in sectors such as agriculture-based activities, vegetable cultivation, animal husbandry, food processing, and the manufacturing and marketing of local products.
Efforts can be made to connect women with livelihood activities suited to their interests, local resources, and available opportunities through self-help groups. Collective efforts enhance the potential for production, better resource utilization, and product marketing. Expanding economic activities at the local level can help increase the income of rural families while also strengthening the village economy.
- Bihan: A Catalyst for Social Change Alongside Economic Empowerment
The Bihan Mission plays a pivotal role in fostering social empowerment alongside economic transformation in the lives of rural women. Self-help groups provide women with opportunities to voice their opinions, make collective decisions, and actively participate in social activities. These groups are creating a positive environment that fosters leadership qualities, mutual cooperation, and self-confidence among women.
Collective organization instills the belief in women that small…Collective efforts can lay the foundation for significant change. By joining groups, women learn from each other’s experiences and can undertake collective action to tackle economic challenges. This not only gives a new identity to the role of women within the family and society but also strengthens the prospects of their increased participation in social development.
- Rural Economy Strengthened by the Collective Power of Women
Women’s economic participation is crucial for the holistic development of any region. When women are economically empowered, it positively impacts their family’s education, nutrition, health, and standard of living. Advancing this vision, the ‘Bihan Mission’ is organizing rural women and serving as a medium to transform their capabilities into economic opportunities.
The fact that over 59,000 women in the Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi district have joined self-help groups marks a significant achievement in women’s empowerment. This extensive network of groups can lay a robust foundation for future livelihood enhancement, local entrepreneurship, and the expansion of rural economic activities. By providing women with necessary training and financial resources, and connecting them to markets, their economic potential can be further expanded.
- Bihan: Realizing the Vision of Self-Reliant Villages and a Developed India
True success in rural development is only possible when women’s active and equal participation is ensured in the development process. With this very objective, the Bihan Mission is working to organize women and empower them both economically and socially.
The continuous expansion of self-help groups in the Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi district indicates that rural women are recognizing their collective strength and moving towards self-reliance. Savings foster economic discipline, organization builds self-confidence, and livelihood opportunities pave the way for self-sufficiency.
The increasing participation of women through Bihan is not limited to individual economic progress; it is also charting a new course for the holistic development of families, society, and villages. This collective organization, comprising 59,524 women from the district, is becoming a vital foundation for realizing the vision of ‘Empowered Women, Prosperous Families, and Self-reliant Villages.’ In the times ahead, this collective strength of women can play a significant role in elevating the rural economy to new heights and contributing to the creation of a developed Chhattisgarh and a developed India.