Empowerment doesn’t come from charity—it comes from opportunity. In the remote corners of Odisha, countless women are skilled, resilient, and hardworking, yet trapped in cycles of poverty due to a lack of exposure, training, and financial support. That’s where Suprativa steps in, bridging the gap between talent and transformation.
Suprativa’s women-focused livelihood model offers not just income but dignity, turning homemakers into entrepreneurs and survivors into leaders.
Skill Training Tailored to Local Needs
Suprativa doesn’t use a one-size-fits-all model. Instead, it builds skill training modules based on local resources, interests, and markets.
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Tailoring & Embroidery – Popular in semi-urban areas where garment demands are growing.
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Leaf Plate & Bowl Making – Using sal and siali leaves, women create eco-friendly products.
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Mushroom Cultivation – Ideal for areas with water access and shade. It generates quick, seasonal profits.
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Agarbatti & Candle Making – In-demand in temples and local markets.
Each woman receives hands-on training, starter kits, and marketing advice to begin her venture.
Financial Literacy: The Game Changer
A big challenge women face isn’t earning—it’s managing money smartly. Suprativa incorporates financial literacy into every training program.
Topics covered:
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How to open a bank account and use ATM cards
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Understanding microloans and interest rates
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Building savings habits through SHGs
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Basics of digital payments and UPI apps
As a result, many women have now started saving monthly and investing in their children’s education or small home improvements.
Market Linkages that Ensure Real Earnings
Training without income is incomplete. That’s why Suprativa actively creates market opportunities for trained women.
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Connects SHGs to weekly haats and local shops
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Hosts seasonal fairs where women sell products directly
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Partners with urban NGOs and online platforms for wider reach
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Teaches packaging and pricing to attract repeat customers
Thanks to this, over 3,000 women across 6 districts have increased their income by 2x to 3x in the past 3 years.
Mentorship from Women Who’ve Walked the Path
One powerful feature of Suprativa’s model is its peer mentorship system.
Experienced entrepreneurs from nearby villages are selected to:
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Train new women
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Share real business lessons
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Help troubleshoot early challenges
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Motivate and build sisterhood
This approach builds confidence faster than classroom lectures.
Real Story: Meet Manjulata from Boudh
Manjulata, a 35-year-old widow with two children, was surviving on irregular wage labor. She joined Suprativa’s mushroom training workshop in 2022. With a ₹2,000 grant and guidance from SHG mentors, she now grows mushrooms in her backyard and earns ₹4,000–₹5,000 per month. More importantly, her children go to school, and she has regained her identity as an earning woman.
“Earlier I waited for others to give me work. Now, I create my own,” she says, proudly displaying her latest harvest.
Livelihood with Safety and Dignity
Suprativa understands that empowerment must include safety. All women-led livelihood projects are designed keeping this in mind:
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Work-from-home or local cluster-based options
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Clear rules on fair wages and working hours
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Psychological support through SHG discussions
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Emergency response channels in case of distress
Women are encouraged to speak up and support one another — creating a fabric of economic and emotional independence.
Impact Snapshot (2020–2024)
| Area of Work | Numbers Impacted |
|---|---|
| Women Trained in Livelihoods | 3,200+ |
| Active SHGs Supported | 180+ |
| Market Linkages Created | 90+ |
| Women Earners Gaining >₹3000/mo | 1,000+ |
| Financial Literacy Sessions Held | 120+ |
True empowerment begins when women have the tools, the knowledge, and the support to earn on their own terms. With its livelihood model rooted in skill, dignity, and market access, Suprativa is quietly transforming rural Odisha — one woman, one family, one village at a time.
