By Nilanjana Sarkar
The Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) Social Development Department has deployed the City Livelihood Centre (CLC), an initiative to empower women’s self-help groups (SHGs) and encourage entrepreneurship in the city. Located at the Municipal Aadhar Centre on Sinhagad Road, near PL Deshpande Udyan, the CLC will provide a marketplace for commodities made by financially weak families and women’s SHGs, uplifting economic growth and fostering community development.
By offering a platform for SHGs to feature and vend their products, the center will motivate women to become independent and confident entrepreneurs. The CLC will showcase a diverse range of products, including food items, snacks, gifts, household necessities, and daily compulsories, all crafted by women’s SHGs. For those who won’t be able to visit the center, they can place orders online, making it easily accessible for citizens to encourage women’s empowerment.
The City Livelihood Centre is an indication of PMC’s allegiance to women’s empowerment and community development. With its novel methodology and collaborative approach, the center is designed to make a prominent impact on the lives of women in Pune. By giving a platform for SHGs to vend their goods, the center will not only give a kick to the economic growth but also foster community development and social mobilization.
This approach is made to help women from unobserved communities, by giving them a long-term source of income and an option to become economically independent. By encouraging this approach, citizens can play a pivotal role in promoting entrepreneurship and economic independence among women in Pune.
The city livelihood center will officially begin operations on October 3. As the center starts its operations, it is expected to become a role model for other cities in India, featuring the power of community-driven initiatives in promoting women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship.