Google India’s ‘Internet Saathi’ programme aimed to empower rural women on how to use the Internet has now added two more states — Punjab and Odisha. With this, the programme has now reached 2.6 lakh villages in 20 states. Launched as a pilot project in 2015, along with Tata Trusts, ‘Internet Saathi’ programme focuses on educating women on how to use the Internet. These women, in turn, impart training to other women in their community and neighbouring villages.
In the four-year journey, trained 70,000 “Internet Saathis” are using the Internet to drive positive change in their communities and have already benefited over 2.6 crore fellow women. Neha Barjatya, Chief Internet Saathi, Google India, said that it is remarkable to see the passion of women in rural India, who are learning about the Internet, not just for their own needs but for their families, kids and their communities.
While some have gone ahead and started their own micro-business such as stitching, honeybee farming and beauty parlour, many others are empowering their families and communities with new skills to enhance their livelihood. There are also those who are driving awareness for issues like girl child education, menstrual hygiene and more. In Punjab, the programme will cover around 5,000 villages. In Odisha, it will cover over 16,000 villages.