Hindustan Zinc’s army of 25,000 women from Sakhi initiative redefining rural Rajasthan
Sakhi is the company’s flagship social impact initiative focused on Empowerment, Equality, and Economic Growth
Udaipur, "I never imagined I could be the architect of my own life, but today, thanks to Sakhi, I am not only independent but also inspiring countless women like me to believe in their dreams and carve their own futures," shares Manju Meena, Federation Manager of Sakhi Shakti Samiti. She is one among 25,000 women rewriting Rajasthan’s story through the Sakhi initiative, Hindustan Zinc’s flagship women empowerment program.
Hindustan Zinc, India’s largest and the world’s second-largest integrated zinc producer, has spearheaded Sakhi, a transformative social impact initiative aimed at mobilizing and empowering rural women in Rajasthan. Through a network of over 2,000 Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Sakhi uplifts women to break stereotypes, driving social and economic progress in their communities.
A cornerstone of this transformation is the Uthori initiative, a powerful campaign led by 77 Sakhi leaders. Uthori has reached over 2 lakh individuals across 170 schools and 110 villages, addressing critical societal issues like child marriage, gender violence, menstrual hygiene, and harassment. Through creative methods such as street plays, songs, and community outreach, these leaders have ignited conversations on long-standing taboos, fostering a new era of awareness and social reform.
Leaders like Ms. Vijayshree Vaishnav, a Suraksha Sakhi from Gulabpura Agucha, exemplify this spirit of change. Recognized by the Special Investigation Unit for Crimes Against Women, she has played a crucial role in helping women and children in distress, reflecting the dedication and courage that drive the Sakhi initiative.
Sakhi has also been instrumental in fostering economic empowerment. With ₹4.75 crore in credit linkages through major banks, over 270 SHGs have expanded their livelihood activities, building foundations for financial independence. Collectively, Sakhi members have amassed savings exceeding ₹20 crore, while inter-loaning has surpassed ₹100 crore.
Recently, 40 Sakhi women participated in an exposure visit to Pune’s Saarthi Mahasangh, where they learned best practices in financial management and institution-building. They returned equipped with insights to strengthen their federations and inspire their communities. During the Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort, five Sakhi women were invited by Ministry of Mines to attend the parade serving a beacon of pride for the communities they were representing and for future generations.
Sakhi’s accomplishments have earned recognition at the FICCI Women in Workforce Summit, where representatives like Ms. Tara Ranawat and Ms. Aasha Kunwar shared their journeys of transformation. They highlighted how modest savings of just ₹20 have grown into thriving enterprises, exemplified by brands like Daichi and Upaya. These women are not only achieving financial independence but also building sustainable business models with a far-reaching impact.
Beyond financial empowerment, Sakhi is a movement fostering a new narrative of self-reliance and social change. Women, driven by their strength and determination, are becoming architects of progress, breaking barriers, and uplifting entire communities.
Hindustan Zinc’s community development initiatives extend beyond women’s empowerment, touching over 20 lakh lives across education, sports, youth skill-building, sustainable farming, and rural infrastructure development. Operating in over 3,700 villages across Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, Hindustan Zinc remains among India’s top CSR spenders, committed to creating lasting social impact. With Sakhi leading the charge, Hindustan Zinc is nurturing self-sustaining ecosystems and transforming the rural landscapes of Rajasthan into hubs of growth and resilience.
About Hindustan Zinc Limited
Hindustan Zinc Limited (BSE: 500188 and NSE: HINDZINC), a Vedanta Group company, is the world’s second-largest integrated zinc producer and the third-largest silver producer. The company supplies to more than 40 countries and holds a market share of about 75% of the primary zinc market in India. Hindustan Zinc has been recognized as the world’s most sustainable company in the metals and mining category by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023, reflecting its operational excellence, innovation, and leading ESG practices. The company also launched EcoZen Asia's first low carbon 'green' zinc brand. Produced using renewable energy, EcoZen has a carbon footprint of less than 1 tonne of carbon equivalent per tonne of zinc produced, about 75% lower than the global average. Hindustan Zinc is also a certified 2.41 times Water-Positive company and is committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050 or sooner. Transforming the lives of about 2 million people through its focused social welfare initiatives, Hindustan Zinc is among the Top 10 CSR companies in India. As a world leader in the metals and mining industry, Hindustan Zinc is pivotal in providing critical metals essential for the global energy transition for a sustainable future.
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