As part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) interventions in community development, Godrej & Boyce, the flagship company of the Godrej Group has created 193 women-led businesses.
Mumbai: The development of communities is a core function of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in India. CSR programs bring about the necessary changes in communities related to access to essential services, initiate behavioral change for the benefit of society, and create opportunities that mobilize socio-economic development of the underserved.
As a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) interventions in community development, Godrej & Boyce, the flagship company of the Godrej Group has created 193 women-led businesses including 157 Self Help Groups (SHG), aggregating 43 Lakh income. .
The women-led SHGs formed by the company conduct agriculture-related activities such as floriculture, poultry farming, and paddy nurseries. Some women-led enterprises are provided with equipment for the production of various products such as agarbattis, beauty products, oils and others.
Talking about the benefits of women entrepreneurship, Ashwini Deodeshmukh, Head, CSR and Sustainability Reporting, Godrej & Boyce, said, “Several studies have found that increasing women’s income has a positive impact on the well-being of their families because they tend to spend a larger portion of their income on health and education. Women entrepreneurs are also helping to change gendered expectations of women’s roles in society, thus slowly providing avenues for more women’s participation in education and livelihood opportunities.
Emphasizing the importance of holistic rural development, he added, “Often the issues and their solutions depend on each other. For example, the health of a woman or child, affects their ability to learn or work. Therefore, it is important to take a holistic view of community development. At Godrej & Boyce, we believe in addressing the factors that can negatively affect the well-being of individuals as well as the community. Ensuring access to fundamentals such as education, water and health care development give communities a solid foundation for further development. We further strengthen rural communities by supporting solutions for development of income. These initiatives focus on harnessing the power of the collective for women’s businesses, farming, and fishing activities.
Empowering women in underserved communities is essential for the well-being and development of individual households as well as the community as a whole. With increased income, women prioritize the education of children and health care of family members, thus raising the standard of living of families and securing their future. Women are an integral part of communities, and their participation in social and economic areas is essential for socio-economic development. Encouraging women to take on decision-making roles also has an impact on how women’s roles are viewed in society. In communities, it serves to change the minds of girl child education.
Godrej & Boyce is committed to the development of communities and the environment. Through their processes and products, the organization aims to further the Good & Green vision of building sustainable and inclusive growth for all.
