Women Livelihood Promotion Project: Livelihood Materials Distribution Programme

Access to essential equipment and materials can be a barrier for rural women seeking to start or expand a small business. Through the Women Livelihood Promotion Project, AIRD works with Village Development Committees to identify women and select livelihood activities suited to their skills, local opportunities and household circumstances.

On 29 September 2026, AIRD, with support from JSW Foundation, distributed livelihood materials to 20 women from nine villages. The programme took place at the temple premises in K. Chidambarapuram, marking the third set of livelihood material distributions under the project.

The assistance covered eight livelihood activities: tailoring, garment sales, kitchen gardening, beautician services, soap and detergent production, petty shops, rice-flour production and photocopying services. These resources aim to help women establish or strengthen their activities and improve their earning potential.

The women supported came from Kumaragiri, Sevalpatti, Achankulam, Meelapoovani, Akkanayakanpatti, Koppampatti, Puthupatti, Om Saravanapuram and Karisalkulam.

Mr. Aravindhan, Block Development Officer of Kayathar, attended the programme alongside representatives from JSW Wind Energy, AIRD and local community institutions. He appreciated the initiative’s practical approach to supporting women’s livelihoods and encouraged its expansion to more women in surrounding communities.

During the programme, Mr. V. Sathu, Chief Functionary of AIRD, highlighted the role of Village Development Committees in identifying suitable beneficiaries. He also explained the procurement process and shared that 146 women had received livelihood material support through the project to date.

Through this partnership, AIRD and JSW Foundation aim to strengthen women’s economic participation and support locally suitable livelihoods that can contribute to household financial security.