Categories
Smile

Women’s Day 2025: Corporate Philanthropy for Women Empowerment

Women empowerment is the process through which women gain awareness of gender-based inequalities and acquire a stronger voice to challenge these disparities in their homes, workplaces, and communities. True empowerment means enabling women to take control of their lives—defining their own paths, acquiring essential skills, solving problems, and fostering self-reliance. In simpler terms and this women’s day 2025, women empowerment is the recognition of women as equal individuals, ensuring they have access to education, equal opportunities, and the autonomy to make informed decisions in every aspect of life—whether personal, professional, or financial.

The Significance of International Women’s Day 2025


The discourse around women’s empowerment has been ongoing for centuries. This year, International Women’s Day on 8th March serves as a poignant tribute to the achievements of women across social, economic, cultural, and political domains. It also acts as a rallying cry for gender equality, pushing for a world where women’s rights are non-negotiable.

In 2025, the United Nations commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration with the theme: For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment. This theme underscores the urgency of ensuring that every woman and girl is valued, empowered, and included, making gender parity a lived reality rather than an unattainable goal.

Challenges Hindering Women’s Empowerment


While significant progress has been made, the barriers to women’s empowerment continue to evolve, demanding innovative solutions. The challenges affecting education, financial stability, and health remain critical concerns across the world:

  • Poverty disproportionately affects women – One in ten women lives in extreme poverty. By 2030, an estimated 342.4 million women and girls—8% of the global female population—will survive on less than $2.15 a day.
  • Limited access to social protection – Women struggle to access employment-related benefits such as maternity leave, pensions, and unemployment support. Currently, 73.5% of women in wage employment lack sufficient security, creating an 8% coverage gap between men and women.
  • Greater food and water insecurity – Women face higher rates of food and water shortages than men (31.9% compared to 27.6%). The crisis is even worse for older, indigenous, and rural women, who are primarily responsible for water collection in 70% of households without on-site access.

These challenges highlight the urgent need to address education, health, and economic disparities that hinder gender equality worldwide.

Solidifying Women’s Empowerment Through CSR Partnerships


Women’s empowerment is an expansive goal that requires collective action. The vision of International Women’s Day 2025—“For ALL Women and Girls”—can only be realised when corporates, NGOs, and governments collaborate to create tangible, lasting change.

Government Initiatives Driving Women’s Empowerment


The Indian government has undertaken numerous initiatives to empower women by promoting education, reproductive health, nutrition, and sustainable livelihoods:

  • Education-Focused Initiatives: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, and the CBSE Udaan Scheme help girls access quality learning opportunities.
  • Healthcare Programs: Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN), LaQshya, and Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) provide comprehensive maternal and reproductive healthcare services.
  • Financial Empowerment Schemes: Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, and Mahila Shakti Kendra foster financial independence by providing monetary assistance, financial literacy, and business support.

These initiatives serve as foundational support systems, ensuring that women have the tools and opportunities they need to thrive in every aspect of life.

How CSR Can Drive Women’s Empowerment in India?

  • Through Education: Empowering Girls for a Brighter Future

Quality education is the cornerstone of empowerment. In rural India, where gender disparities in education remain stark, bridging the gap is essential for achieving true equality.

Smile Foundation, in collaboration with CSR partners, actively works to ensure that education is accessible to girls across India. Programmes like She Can Fly and Engineering Scholarships for Girls provide crucial support to young women who aspire to pursue higher education.

These scholarships cover essential expenses such as:

  • Tuition fees
  • School supplies
  • Transportation

Beyond financial assistance, beneficiaries receive mentorship and career guidance, equipping them with the tools to make informed decisions about their futures.

Through Healthcare: Promoting Health and Nutrition

Good health is central to true empowerment. Recognising this, Smile Foundation’s Swabhiman programme, supported by CSR partnerships, focuses on improving the health and nutrition of women and girls through:

  • Maternal, adolescent, and child healthcare awareness
  • Reproductive health education
  • Immunisation and nutrition programmes
  • Strengthening Anganwadi infrastructure

To ensure healthcare accessibility for rural women in India, Smile Foundation launched the Pink Smile Mobile Medical Unit (MMU). These mobile units offer:

  • Nutritious food for women and children
  • Early anaemia detection and immediate medical intervention
  • Community education on affordable, healthy diets

Additionally, the Nutrition Enhancement Programme (NEP), a three-year initiative by the PepsiCo and Smile Foundation has  positively impacted over 60,000 lives in Sangrur, Punjab. Aligned with Poshan Abhiyaan, it directly benefited 16,000 individuals—including pregnant women, lactating mothers, and young children—while indirectly reaching more than 45,000 people.

Through Livelihood: Building Financial Independence

Economic independence is a powerful tool in breaking the cycle of poverty. Smile Foundation’s Swabhiman programme also provides entrepreneurship and skill development training to women from marginalised communities, helping them establish sustainable businesses.

Women enrolled in this initiative receive training in:

  • Business fundamentals: financial management, marketing, and communication
  • Digital and financial literacy
  • Access to seed capital to launch or expand their enterprises

Additionally, Project Manzil offers vocational training for young women in Rajasthan, equipping them with skills to pursue sustainable careers and achieve financial independence.

Women’s Day 2025: Creating Meaningful Impact Through CSR

Women’s empowerment cannot remain a slogan; women’s empowerment is not just a moral imperative—it is an economic and social necessity. All social stakeholders must take it to be a movement—one that businesses actively invest in, champion, and sustain. Corporations, NGOs, and government bodies must work together to dismantle barriers and create sustainable opportunities for women across education, health, and livelihood sectors.

How Corporates Can Contribute:

  • Invest in scholarship programmes to ensure girls have access to quality education.
  • Partner with healthcare initiatives that address maternal and adolescent health challenges.
  • Support entrepreneurship training and financial literacy programmes to build self-sufficiency.

Let’s collectively remember that when you empower a woman, you don’t just change her life—you change families, communities, and generations to come.

Be the force that turns equality into reality. Partner now for gender quality

Categories
CSR

CSR collaborations for youth to empower them

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has gained considerable momentum in recent years, becoming an integral part of how businesses operate. At its core, CSR refers to the voluntary actions organisations take to address social, environmental, and ethical concerns in their operations and stakeholder relationships. It reflects a company’s commitment to balancing business goals with creating a positive impact on society.

CSR encompasses a wide range of initiatives—including community development, ethical governance, environmental sustainability, employee welfare, and support for key social issues such as healthcare, education, and disaster relief. Increasingly, organisations are viewing CSR as a strategic tool for stakeholder engagement, particularly with young people.

Recognising that youth are central to the future of any society, many businesses are now aligning their CSR strategies with youth empowerment. Young people play a vital role in shaping social and economic progress, and enabling their participation in the business ecosystem fosters long-term impact. By engaging youth meaningfully, CSR initiatives contribute to building more inclusive, resilient communities.

CSR as a Driver of Social Change

Unlike traditional business models focused primarily on profit, CSR initiatives are guided by the principle of giving back and promoting equity. Their transformative power lies in the potential to create sustainable change at the grassroots.

A powerful example is a company investing in a nationwide scholarship programme, ensuring access to quality education for underprivileged youth and shaping a brighter future for generations to come.

Education and Collaboration: The Foundation of CSR for Youth

In India, education remains a critical lever for youth empowerment, especially in rural regions where quality learning is often out of reach. According to a 2021 global education index, India ranks 32nd, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions.

Through well-designed CSR programmes, corporates can bridge this gap by supporting initiatives that enhance learning outcomes in underserved areas. Collaborative efforts can introduce digital infrastructure in rural schools—providing laptops, internet connectivity, and access to digital content.

Such digital transformation not only improves the quality of education, but also boosts attendance, digital literacy, and student engagement, making learning more inclusive and future-ready.

Enabling Young Changemakers and Social Entrepreneurs

We are witnessing the largest youth population in history—and CSR must evolve to match their potential. One forward-thinking approach is to support young social entrepreneurs running not-for-profit initiatives. These youth-led organisations are often deeply committed to social impact and bring fresh, agile solutions to persistent challenges.

By trusting and investing in these emerging leaders, corporates can multiply the scale and reach of their CSR outcomes. Some companies already support youth entrepreneurship through incubation, mentorship, and funding—encouraging innovation, job creation, and grassroots economic development.

How CSR Initiatives in India Empower Youth

CSR efforts in India are increasingly aligned with youth development goals, focusing on areas such as education, skill training, health, and entrepreneurship. Some common ways CSR is making a difference:

  • Skill Development: Many companies fund training programmes in areas like technology, hospitality, and manufacturing to make youth job-ready. These are often implemented in collaboration with NGOs and vocational institutes.
  • Youth Employment: By hiring local youth or creating livelihood opportunities, companies help drive economic stability and encourage a more peaceful and productive business environment.
  • Health & Wellness: CSR programmes also promote mental health, hygiene, and nutrition through awareness drives and healthcare access—especially in rural communities.
  • Sustainability Engagement: Young people are also involved in climate action, waste management, and green practices as part of CSR-led environmental awareness campaigns.
  • Leadership & Community Service: Programmes encouraging youth participation in leadership and volunteer roles help build skills like communication, teamwork, and social responsibility.

Smile Foundation’s CSR Collaborations for Youth Empowerment

Since its inception in 2001, Smile Foundation has been committed to enabling underserved communities through education, healthcare, women’s empowerment, and livelihood training. One of its flagship programmes, the Smile Twin e-Learning Programme (STeP), has become a leading platform for youth-focused CSR collaborations.

Through STeP, Smile Foundation delivers skill development and job-readiness training to underprivileged youth, helping them access meaningful employment opportunities. The results speak for themselves:

  • 90,000+ youth trained
  • 56,000+ youth placed in over 400 reputable companies
  • A majority of trainees are young women, contributing directly to gender inclusion and empowerment

These numbers reflect the programme’s deep impact—and its potential for further growth through CSR partnerships. As India’s youthful population seeks to contribute meaningfully to society, partnerships with organisations like Smile Foundation can amplify economic development and drive sustainable change.

Conclusion:
As the CSR landscape evolves, its focus on youth empowerment is both timely and essential. By investing in the next generation—through education, skill-building, health, and entrepreneurship—corporates are not just fulfilling social responsibilities, but also shaping a stronger, more inclusive India.

Categories
CSR

CSR initiatives help increase employability of the youth

This year’s Union Budget unveiled a new initiative: over the next five years, internships at 500 leading companies will be offered to 10 million youth, with each receiving ₹5,000 monthly and an additional one-time ₹6,000 assistance. Companies will contribute to training costs and cover 10% of intern allowances using their CSR funds—a strategy highlighted by The Times of India.

Governments have long focused on youth employment and skilling—and now CSR initiatives are playing a pivotal role in preparing young Indians for the workforce.

What Is CSR?

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a business model where companies embed social, environmental, and ethical priorities into operations and decision-making. It includes eco-friendly practices, fair work policies, community engagement, and philanthropy.

In India, CSR is legally mandated under the Companies Act, 2013 (effective April 2014). Corporates with certain financial thresholds (net worth ₹500 crore+, turnover ₹1,000 crore+, or profit ₹5 crore+) must spend at least 2% of their average net profits on CSR activities.

The Youth Employability Challenge

By 2024, India’s youth population is projected at 420 million (29% of the nation). By 2047, the working-age population (15–64) will reach 1.1 billion. Despite this, UNICEF and the Education Commission report over 50% of youth lacking necessary education and skills. According to the India Skills Report 2021, nearly half of graduates are deemed unemployable. The unemployment rate also tripled between 2012 (2.1%) and 2018 (6.1%).

Why Skill Gaps Persist

Dr. Prahalathan KK of Chennai-based nonprofit Bhumi explains: students from top-tier institutions typically have no difficulty finding work, but those in lesser-known colleges often lack employable skills. Philanthropy and CSR can help these vulnerable students gain skills and experience, closing the opportunity gap.

Government Skilling Programmes

  • Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) offers industry-relevant vocational training.
  • Skill India Mission, launched in 2015, strengthens skilling infrastructure to meet market demands.

CSR’s Role in Enhancing Employability

CSR programmes align corporate resources with skill needs. For example, Bhumi collaborates with government schools to improve learning, provide scholarships, and deliver vocational training in smaller towns. Such initiatives boost employability in Tier‑2 and Tier‑3 areas.

Some notable corporate CSR programmes include:

  • Tata STRIVE: Offers domain and soft-skills training to underprivileged youth for employment or entrepreneurship.
  • Infosys Springboard: Aims to train over 10 million individuals in digital literacy by 2025, through courses in collaboration with Coursera and Harvard Business Publishing.

CSR Beyond Monetary Support

CSR isn’t limited to funding. Tarun Mahadevan of Advantage Foods highlights non-monetary contributions: his culinary training helps youth—including those with special needs—develop practical vocational skills. Popcause, led by two SPASTN-trained students, shows how skill-focused CSR can transform lives.

NGO-Led Youth Upskilling

The Smile Foundation promotes STEM and experiential learning to nurture critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving—skills essential for future-ready youth.

Project Manzil in Rajasthan:

  • Focuses on counselling and vocational skills for 90,000+ girls.
  • Training provided in areas such as IT, healthcare, beauty, retail, agriculture, tourism, and more.
  • Currently reaching 44,000+ girls in grades 9–12 across six districts.

Categories
CSR

Issues that CSR in healthcare are trying to address

As per Section 135 of the Companies Act 2013, it is mandated that companies meeting specific size and revenue criteria invest at least 2 per cent of their average net profits from the previous three annual years into Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects. Introduced a decade ago, this regulation has significantly transformed the CSR landscape in our country. Companies now actively channel funds into public service projects, elevating discussions on social impact to a higher level.

Traditionally, CSR expenditure has been concentrated in six primary areas: education and skill development, healthcare, rural and urban slum development, livelihood enhancement, environmental sustainability and poverty alleviation. However, increasingly novel areas, such as gender inequality, animal rights, etc., are also being catered to via CSR projects. This shift has not only broadened the scope of CSR activities but also emphasised the role of businesses in addressing societal challenges.

Among the recent research, a 2024 study conducted by SoulAce, a prominent CSR consulting and monitoring firm, highlights the significant impact of CSR initiatives on India’s healthcare sector. As per this research, these projects have substantially alleviated the strain on public healthcare institutions and played a crucial role in fortifying India’s healthcare framework. Through investments in various healthcare-related CSR activities, companies have not only been supporting the enhancement of medical facilities and services. Still, they are also contributing to improving overall public health outcomes. This growing emphasis on CSR in healthcare underscores the evolving role of businesses in addressing critical social issues and supporting national health priorities.

A push to access and equity

India has one of the lowest healthcare expenditures as a percentage of GDP. Over the last two decades, most development with regard to healthcare facilities has taken place in the private sector or through public-private partnerships, with minimal progress in the public sector. In this context, CSR initiatives are crucial in addressing disparity in access to medical services. Despite advances in medical technology and healthcare delivery, significant gaps remain, especially in underserved and low-income areas.

CSR programmes often work to bridge these gaps by funding free clinics, providing mobile health units, or partnering with nonprofits to offer subsidised treatments. For instance, the Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF) has introduced the Sparsh Sanjeevani Telemedicine Clinics in Maharashtra, creating a network of telemedicine clinics in remote areas to offer essential healthcare services. Patients can consult specialists for a nominal fee of Rs. 100, with medications provided by an in-clinic nurse. Similarly, the SBI Foundation’s Sanjeevani initiative deploys mobile medical units to deliver primary healthcare directly to rural, tribal, and remote communities. Between 2022 and 2023, the SBI Foundation rolled out 30 mobile units across seven states, improving healthcare access in these regions.

These CSR efforts go beyond merely improving access to healthcare; they play a pivotal role in promoting equity across the healthcare sector. By supporting programs that target vulnerable populations, advocating for equitable health policies and investing in research to address disparities, these initiatives contribute to greater equality in healthcare in India. A notable example herein is Tata Steel Limited’s Maternal & Newborn Survival Initiative (MANSI), which aims to reduce neonatal and infant mortality by strengthening the capacity of government health volunteers—ASHAs workers.

Overall, CSR programmes play a vital role in overcoming barriers such as cost, transportation, and service availability, ensuring that more individuals receive the care they need.

Furthering environmental sustainability in healthcare

The environmental impact of healthcare practices is coming under increasing scrutiny due to the sector’s significant carbon footprint, which includes high levels of waste generation, energy consumption, and reliance on non-renewable resources.

In India, the healthcare sector accounts for about 2 percent of global healthcare emissions, and as the country invests more in healthcare, this figure is expected to rise. Given this context, it is crucial for healthcare CSR initiatives to address sustainability concerns as well. In this case, a notable example is Apollo Hospitals, which has incorporated environmentally sustainable practices into its CSR strategy. Their green initiatives focus on reducing, reusing, and recycling medical and non-medical waste. They have implemented specialised systems for safely disposing of hazardous and biomedical waste to minimise environmental impact.

Additionally, Apollo Hospitals has adopted water conservation measures such as rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling to reduce water wastage and promote sustainable water use in their operations. This forms a critical case study as to how CSR initiatives can promote the environmental cause while serving those in need of the right services.

Most importantly, it must be remembered that effective healthcare involves providing quality medical care and creating environments that enhance patient well-being. Several studies suggest that green buildings—designed with natural lighting, proper ventilation, and soundproofing—contribute significantly to a positive therapeutic environment. By incorporating these features, hospitals can improve patient comfort and recovery. This is how they can further strike a balanced commitment to environmental sustainability and patient care.

Forging community engagement 

The right interventions can also help create community engagement by working closely with local populations to understand their specific health needs and concerns. This often includes sponsoring health education programs, supporting local health initiatives, or fostering partnerships with community-based organisations. Project Jeevan Aastha by HDFC Life Insurance Company demonstrates a comprehensive approach to community health. The initiative organises free health camps that offer essential medical screenings and consultations to people in remote and underserved areas. It also conducts workshops and educational sessions to raise awareness about preventive healthcare, hygiene, and disease management. Additionally, HDFC Life collaborates with local NGOs and healthcare providers to expand its reach and enhance its impact within specific communities.

CSR initiatives in India are addressing some key issues and will only continue to have a profound impact as they evolve. By focusing on organising free health camps, educational workshops and fostering partnerships with local organisations, these programmes not only improve immediate conditions but also foster long-term development of the country.

0%