Strengthening women's participation, opportunities, resilience and leadership to build stronger and self-reliant mountain communities.
Women have traditionally been the backbone of life and livelihoods in the Himalayan hills. In Uttarakhand, their contribution has been particularly significant, with women shouldering responsibilities for household management, agriculture, livestock rearing, collection of fuel wood and fodder, and a wide range of livelihood activities.
Women have not only sustained rural households and communities but have also played a pivotal role in driving social change, community development and local reforms.
Recognizing the central role of women in the socio-economic fabric of the hills, SPD has placed women's empowerment at the heart of its development interventions since its inception.
Women's contribution extends across household, agricultural, environmental and community activities, making their empowerment central to sustainable development in the hills.
Women have traditionally carried major responsibilities for managing households and sustaining family well-being in rural communities.
Women make significant contributions to agricultural activities and the food security of mountain households.
Livestock rearing is an important part of rural livelihoods in which women have traditionally played a central role.
Women have long been involved in the collection of fuel wood and fodder and the everyday use of natural resources.
Women contribute to community development, local institutions, social change and local reforms.
Empowered women can become active agents of economic and social transformation in Himalayan communities.
SPD's interventions have focused on improving access to water, fuel, fodder, agricultural technologies, income-generating opportunities and community institutions.
These efforts have helped reduce the time and effort women spend on routine subsistence activities. SPD believes that reducing women's drudgery is not merely about easing their workload—it is about unlocking their potential.
By reducing the constraints of subsistence and drudgery, SPD works to create greater opportunities for women to participate in economic and social life.
Creating opportunities for women to engage more actively in productive enterprises and livelihood activities.
Enabling women to use their time and energy for learning, skills and new opportunities.
Supporting opportunities for women to engage more actively in education and learning.
Strengthening women's participation in community institutions and local development.
Women's empowerment has remained both a means and an end of SPD's development philosophy.
By freeing up time and energy from routine subsistence activities, women can engage more actively in productive enterprises, skill development, education, community institutions and decision-making processes.
SPD seeks to create an environment in which women can move beyond the constraints of subsistence and drudgery and become active agents of economic and social transformation in the hills.
Supporting women's social and economic empowerment
Reducing time and effort spent on routine subsistence activities
Creating opportunities for productive and income-generating activities
Encouraging participation in institutions, development and decision-making
Stronger, empowered women contribute to stronger, more resilient and self-reliant mountain communities.