Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, launched the Rural Enterprises Acceleration Programme called ‘Saath’ for Self Help Group (SHG) women on September 1, 2021.

• This initiative will help about 48000 SHGs in which about four lakh women are connected, in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Saath initiative will focus on mentoring and market linkages of products that created by these women.
• Government also aims to create 11000 more SHGs in upcoming years.
• This platform will transform the lives of these women and make them independent and strong socially and financially.

This initiative was launched with the aim of transforming the lives of rural women associated with SHGs. It aims to accelerate livelihoods of rural women who are engaged in small works. Small works are those where they do not earn much profit and there is lack of knowledge about marketing, packaging and branding. This initiative is aimed at teaching women all skills and convert their small businesses into Higher Order Enterprises. It seeks to turn women into job-givers and produce further employment.

Under this initiative, workshops will be held for 5000 women initially. Out of 5000, 500 will be selected for intensive training and 100 will be selected for mentoring. Training will be provided to women across ten different sectors like Agriculture, Poultry, Animal Husbandry, handloom, Handicraft etc.

Saath initiative was launched in line with the Umeed scheme that enabled women to start their own business.