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Women in India continue to face systemic barriers in education, health, employment, and social safety—despite progress in many areas. Discriminatory practices such as dowry deaths, sexual violence, and human trafficking persist in various regions, denying many women the chance to live with dignity. Cultural norms, family pressures, and patriarchal expectations often inhibit women from pursuing education or careers, leaving them dependent or voiceless.
Globally, women are disproportionately affected by poverty: an estimated 383 million women and girls live on less than US $1.90 a day, compared with about 368 million men and boys.
In India, women’s labor force participation remains low—just about 25 %—while men’s stands near 57.5 %. Further, women shoulder a heavy burden of unpaid care and domestic work: data from India’s most recent Time Use Survey shows women spend nearly 81.5 % of their time on unpaid household services, contrasted with 27 % by men.
Access to technology and information is another critical barrier: only 21 % of Indian women regularly use mobile internet—limiting their access to education, finance, and opportunity. Politically too, women remain underrepresented: as of 2024, just 14.7 % of Parliament seats were held by women. At Open Heart Trust, we believe that equal opportunities for women are not just a matter of justice—they are foundational to societal progress. We work at the grassroots level to promote economic participation, social inclusion, and personal agency for women from marginalized communities.
Our efforts include:
Vocational training and microenterprise support to help women establish small businesses and generate sustainable income Legal aid, counseling, and protection services for women facing abuse or exploitation .
Digital literacy, awareness workshops, and access to information so women can engage confidently with the modern world Mentorship and peer support to strengthen self-esteem, leadership, and resilience By supporting these initiatives, you can join us in uplifting marginalized women—helping them move from silence to voice, from dependence to autonomy. Together, we can build a society in which every woman has the right, opportunity, and empowerment to shape her own destiny.