Plan India and IPCA Laboratories launched the ‘Shakti’ project in Ajmer to economically empower and build entrepreneurial skills of young women from marginalized communities for dignified earning opportunities
                     Plan India and IPCA Laboratories 
launched the ‘Shakti’ project in 
Ajmer to economically empower and 
build entrepreneurial skills of young 
women from marginalized 
communities for dignified earning 
opportunities
For young girls and women from economically 
disadvantaged backgrounds, finding 
employment remains a distant dream. ‘Shakti’ 
is Plan India’s initiative to bridge this gap by 
providing vocational skill training for income 
generation to young women to help them 
become economically empowered.

The initiative was launched today with the 
unveiling of the manufacturing unit for 
sanitary napkins in the presence of Shri 
Premchand Godha, Chairman & ; Managing 
Director of IPCA Laboratories Ltd, senior 
officials of Plan India, well-known senior 
Chartered Accountant, Mr. Gopal Choudhary 
from Mumbai as well as distinguished guests 
from the local community and women from 
low-income groups. The manufacturing unit 
will be managed by an SHG from the 
Khanpura Women Group of Ajmer.
The ‘Shakti’ project will be implemented in 
Mumbai Slums, Ajmer, and Indore City. In 
Mumbai Slums, to provide income-generation 
opportunities for women, Plan India will 
provide sewing machines to these women and 
teach them tailoring and embroidery skills. 
Plan India will also establish low-cost sanitary 
napkin manufacturing enterprises in Indore 
and Ajmer. In addition to improving menstrual 
hygiene, the sanitary napkin units will help 
young girls manage their menstruation with 
dignity by increasing their access to low-cost 
sanitary napkins.
Within the next six months, Plan India will develop 
the skills of 300 women from the most vulnerable 
and excluded families in Tailoring and Embroidery to 
enable them to earn a living and become self-
employed in 8 slums in Mumbai. Four sanitary 
napkin units will be established in Ajmer and Indore 
(two units each) as part of Plan India & #8217;s 
women empowerment interventions. Over 5,000 
girls and women will be educated on issues of 
menstrual hygiene and management, increasing the 
use of 300,000 low-cost hygienic sanitary pads. In 
this way, Plan India will raise awareness of its 
commitment to achieving menstrual equity for 5 
million women and girls by 2025.
Shri Premchand Godha, Chairman &; Managing 
Director of IPCA Laboratories Ltd, said “Over the 
years, I have worked to build community 
capacities that can help make people self-reliant 
and change their surroundings and lives for the 
better. The initiative will not only help women 
from disadvantaged backgrounds become 
entrepreneurs, but it will also inspire young girls 
and women to think beyond housework and 
generate income. By involving women from the 
community, we will be able to address matters of 
menstrual hygiene management and ensure 
their safety and health”.
Mohammed Asif, Executive Director, Plan India, said, 
“It’s a proud moment for all of us at Plan India today as 
we see our dream come true for enabling young women 
from marginalized communities to become economically 
empowered. Through various initiatives, we have been 
working to encourage young people, especially women, 
to pursue decent work opportunities, whether they are 
employed or self-employed. The ‘Shakti’ project will not 
only improve women & #8217;s skills but would also be a 
catalyst for addressing issues dealing with menstrual 
hygiene and uncovering myths and misconceptions. 
Additionally, it will assist in increasing the use of safe, 
hygienic, and sanitary pads by young girls and women so 
that they can participate in sustainable, environmentally 
and socially friendly menstruation hygiene management 
practices.”
https://www.planindia.org