As we close the curtains on 2024, we are reflecting on the achievements, challenges, and transformations brought by Smile Foundation’s Swabhiman initiative. Swabhiman, aptly named for “self-respect,” continues to equip women from low-income communities with the resources and confidence they need to chart their futures. Over the last year, our comprehensive women’s empowerment programme has touched countless lives, uplifting women, families, and communities.
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
This year, Swabhiman’s Entrepreneurship Development workshops empowered hundreds of women, enabling them to transform dreams into sustainable livelihoods. From kitchen-based ventures to beekeeping, the entrepreneurial journeys of many women stand as an exemplification to determination.
Take the story of Pavithra from a small village near Bangalore, for example. Married young and struggling financially, Pavithra’s life took a turn when she discovered beekeeping through Swabhiman. “Working with bees gave me a sense of purpose,” Pavithra shared. “It became a way for me to provide for my family and build something lasting.” Today, she successfully manages hives and sells honey, proving that even the smallest steps can lead to significant changes.
Similarly, Chaitanya from Devanagundi runs a bustling catering business, serving party orders and daily meals to warehouses. “Smile Foundation didn’t just teach me,” Chaitanya reflects, “they believed in me. With love, hard work, and support, one can create something meaningful and lasting.”
Then there is Nagaratna, who seven years ago lost her husband to a heart attack, leaving her alone to care for two children with minimal means. As a tailor shop helper, she struggled daily to make ends meet.
In April 2023, she joined the Swabhiman program. With the confidence and skills she gained, Nagaratna launched her own small food stall, cooking hearty local dishes. The venture flourished, and in just a year, she went from uncertainty to earning Rs. 1 lakh a month. Today, alongside her son, she has built a stable future—a life she once believed was out of reach.
“I went from being broken and lost to finding strength I didn’t know was inside me. And now, we’re finally living the life I dreamed of for my children.”
These stories are among hundreds fueled by Swabhiman’s goal to equip women with essential entrepreneurial skills, from financial literacy to business planning, creating waves of empowerment in local communities.
Fostering Healthier Futures
Swabhiman is also actively nurturing the health of women and families. This year, in collaboration with SBI Cards and Payment Services Ltd., the programme reached thousands through maternal health workshops, anemia screenings, and nutritional demonstrations.
In Punjab, the Swabhiman team organised maternal health awareness events in partnership with the Health Department of Punjab, offering vital information on antenatal and postnatal care. Pregnant and lactating mothers received resources for a healthier pregnancy and better child health, while frontline health workers were trained to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.
Healthy eating campaigns were another cornerstone of Swabhiman’s health initiatives in 2024. In villages around Greater Noida and Bhiwadi, low-cost, high-nutrition recipe demonstrations for our Honda India Foundation project empowered women with tools to improve their families’ diets using locally sourced ingredients. Events like salad-making competitions sparked creativity while raising awareness about balanced nutrition.
A participant of these sessions shared: “Nutrition is the health and future of my family. Learning affordable, healthy recipes has changed how I cook for my children, and now, they’re happier and healthier.”
Through interactive group meetings, Swabhiman also addressed critical topics such as reproductive and sexual health, safe motherhood, child health, and family planning. These sessions empowered women not only to care for their health but also to challenge longstanding gender stereotypes.
Building Frontline Health Worker Capacity
A highlight of 2024 was a Capacity Building Workshop for Frontline Health Workers, organised collaboratively with Honda Cars India Limited (HCIL) in Greater Noida. The workshop brought together government health workers from Nat Ki Madhiya and Kasna to enhance their knowledge and skills in critical areas of public health.
Key sessions included:
- Anemia and Nutrition during Pregnancy and Lactation by Dr. Deepak Bali from HCIL, which emphasised the role of nutrition in preventing anemia.
- Family Planning by gynecology specialist Dr. Ekrabi, who provided practical guidance and the latest insights on family planning methods.
The interactive format encouraged participation and strengthened the health workers’ ability to serve their communities effectively. The feedback gathered reinforced the significance of such workshops in improving healthcare outcomes at the grassroots level.
Cultural and Social Advocacy
This year also saw the power of storytelling and drama emerge as vital tools in tackling societal issues. Under Swabhiman, we conducted impactful street plays educating children about the perils of child marriage and malnutrition. These plays used music, slogans, and engaging skits to discuss the causes, consequences, and prevention of these critical issues, leaving lasting impressions on young minds.
“I learned so much from the play,” remarked Ananya, an adolescent girl who attended the event. “It opened my eyes to why education and health are so important for girls.”
Through activities like these, Swabhiman engages communities to address cultural norms and biases that hinder progress. Whether through group discussions or information dissemination, the program continues to inspire collective action for gender equity and social reform.
Recognising and Uplifting Local Heroes
Swabhiman not only empowers women but also shines a light on their incredible journeys. Among the many celebrated this year was Laxmi (name changed on request), who turned her passion for pickles into a successful business. From her kitchen in Bangalore, Laxmi now creates flavors reminiscent of home while discovering her strength and purpose.
“There were days when managing a home left no room for ambition,” Laxmi reflected. “But this journey became about believing in myself.”
In another heartwarming story, Sujatha and her friends, Shardamma and Jaya Lakshmi, found solace and strength in each other after personal losses. Their shared grief transformed into a shared goal: building a sambar powder business together. “Life goes on, even when it feels like it can’t,” Sujatha said. “This business is more than just income; it’s about rebuilding our lives, step by step.”
Looking Ahead
As we step into 2025, Swabhiman’s commitment to empowering women and communities remains steadfast. The initiative continues to expand its reach, fostering new partnerships and adapting to evolving challenges.
The programme envisions a community-driven approach where individual and collective self-esteem becomes the foundation for positive change. With education, health, and economic opportunities at its core, the programme contributed to the sustainable development of the women and their communities.
These stories inspire us to continue building a world where every woman can proudly hold on to her self-respect and live a life of dignity and purpose.
As we bid farewell to this transformative year, let us carry forward the lessons and inspiration from Swabhiman. Together, we can create brighter futures and stronger communities by empowering the women who are at the heart of it all.
