SADHIKA-SAKHI Empowering Bharatiya Naari by Choice, Not Chance
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In Bharat, Naari have always been revered as Shakti - the embodiment of strength, dignity, and creation. The Government of India has placed Naari Shashaktikaran (Women’s Empowerment) among its top national priorities, implementing numerous flagship programs such as Mission Shakti, Naari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, Lakhpati Didi Yojana, Swadhar Greh Yojana, Namo Drone Didi Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, POSHAN Abhiyaan, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Mission Indradhanush, Janani Suraksha Yojana, Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN), Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Kiran Yojana, Rashtriya Mahila Kosh, and Kishori Shakti Yojana.
Additionally, several state governments have introduced significant women-centric schemes including the Rajasthan Chief Minister Rajshree Yojana, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana, Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana (Madhya Pradesh), and Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana (Bihar).
Despite extensive governmental and non-governmental efforts, many Bharatiya Naari still do not feel completely safe, secure, and respected - underscoring the continued need for transformative initiatives like SADHIKA–SAKHI.
Yet, despite these commendable efforts, ground realities remain deeply concerning. In many rural and urban-poor areas, girls drop out after class 10th or 12th, and several never attend school due to poverty, early marriage, or social constraints. It is still not uncommon to see young girls begging at traffic signals or women and adolescent girls trapped in unsafe and exploitative situations, including human trafficking and forced prostitution.
Even today, women’s safety in public spaces remains a challenge, with rising incidents of sexual assault, domestic violence, and harassment posing serious concerns for both law enforcement and society. Issues like dowry, gender-based discrimination, and lack of property rights continue to limit women’s independence and participation in decision-making.
In the healthcare system, despite the vast network of ASHA, ANM, and CHO workers and Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs), many women remain deprived of timely healthcare services due to social stigma, lack of awareness, or financial barriers. Furthermore, economic inequality, limited decision-making power, and gaps in legal protection continue to keep many women dependent and vulnerable.
On the other hand, there is also a strong need for strict enforcement of laws and community awareness to address cases where women are involved in illegal or unethical activities, ensuring justice, protection, and rehabilitation through effective policy and social mechanisms.
The SADHIKA-SAKHI Program, the flagship initiative of the Supansha Development Foundation, seeks to transform this landscape by promoting holistic and sustainable women’s empowerment. It is rooted in the belief that true empowerment must come from choice, not chance - where every woman enjoys freedom, dignity, equity, and security, and realizes her potential through skills, education, livelihood, financial literacy, health, and leadership.
Through capacity building, livelihood training, legal awareness, health education, and community participation, the program envisions a society where every woman can stand as a Sadhika (self-driven achiever) and every Sakhi (peer supporter) becomes a pillar of change - shaping a Bharat where women and girls truly thrive with independence, dignity, and self-reliance.
Program Objectives
To enhance women’s health and wellbeing through hygiene, sanitation, preventive healthcare, reproductive and maternal health awareness, and nutrition security.
To promote education, digital literacy, and skill development enabling women’s leadership, entrepreneurship, and full participation in social and economic life.
To strengthen women’s economic empowerment and financial inclusion via livelihood training, SHG formation, market linkages, and access to finance, banking, and insurance.
To ensure social, legal, and safety empowerment by fostering peer support, mental health, legal awareness, gender equality, safe workplaces, and self-defence practices.
To build community engagement and environmental consciousness supporting policy advocacy, climate awareness, and sustainable social change.
Seamless and Sustainable Feminine Upliftment
The SADHIKA-SAKHI Program envisions holistic empowerment of Bharatiya Naari through health, education, livelihood, and leadership opportunities.
It focuses on Health & Wellbeing, Social, Legal & Leadership Development, and Economic Empowerment, addressing barriers that limit women’s participation in education, work, and community life.
The program enables women to make confident decisions - by choice, not by chance - fostering self-reliance, dignity, and sustainable progress. The key actions include:
Peer Support and Indian Cultural Harmony
Hygiene, Sanitation and Preventive Health
Nutrition Security and Kitchen Gardens
Health Camps and Feminine Care Services
Adolescent Girls – Health, Education and Security
Reproductive, Maternal Health Awareness
Sports and Self-Defence Practices
Psychosocial Support and Mental Health
Environment and Climate Change Awareness
Digital Literacy and Cyber Security
Safe Workplaces and POSH, POCSO Awareness
Legal Rights and Gender Equality
Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Leadership Training and Workshops
Product Marketing and E-commerce Access
SHG Strengthening and Market Linkage
Finance, Banking and Insurance Awareness
Policy Advocacy and Sustainable Partnerships
Expected Outcomes
The SADHIKA-SAKHI Program envisions holistic and sustainable empowerment of Bharatiya Naari by addressing barriers in education, health, livelihood, leadership, and social participation. By combining skill development, leadership training, community engagement, legal awareness, and health interventions, the program ensures that women gain skills, confidence, economic independence, safety, and social recognition. These efforts collectively translate into tangible benefits and measurable impacts, strengthening families, communities, and fostering societal change, thereby justifying the key program benefits and impact listed below.
Program Benefits
Improved Health and Wellbeing: Women gain access to hygiene, preventive healthcare, reproductive and maternal health services, and nutrition support.
Enhanced Education and Skills: Increased literacy, digital skills, vocational training, and leadership capabilities for women and adolescent girls.
Economic Empowerment: Women achieve livelihood opportunities, entrepreneurship skills, market access, and financial independence.
Safety and Legal Awareness: Strengthened knowledge of legal rights, gender equality, self-defence, and safe workplace practices.
Community Engagement and Peer Support: Women build networks for peer learning, cultural harmony, psychosocial support, and social participation.
Program Impact
Greater Women’s Autonomy: Women make informed decisions by choice, not by chance, improving self-reliance and dignity.
Reduction in Vulnerabilities: Decreased exposure to gender-based violence, exploitation, and health risks.
Sustainable Livelihoods: Improved household income, SHG sustainability, and economic participation of women.
Stronger Community Development: Empowered women act as change-makers, promoting gender equity and social cohesion.
Long-term Societal Change: Enhanced awareness, policy engagement, and leadership contribute to an inclusive, safe, and resilient society.
