Jeevika stands as a symbol of resilience, where women are the backbone of this program. Jeevika Didis redefine and reshape the meaning of women’s empowerment, while also contributing to the nation economically. They work in every corner of society, from creating handicrafts to managing finance, evolving into profitable and empowered entrepreneurs.
Who are Jeevika Didis?
Jeevika, to implement social and economic reforms “for the rural poor” and “by the rural poor,” was established under the World Bank as part of the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project (BRLP) in 2007. This program originated in the heartland of Bihar, specifically in Begusarai, and is run by everyday women, referred to as Jeevika Didis, with no eligibility criteria requiring formal educational qualifications. Women are mobilized into diverse organizations, including Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Village Organizations (VOs), and Cluster-Level Federations (CLFs).
Social and economic efforts: Reshaping the lives of Bihar women
Jeevika promotes multi-purpose women-led development by forming various communities and institutions such as Didi Ki Rasoi, Meri Bank- Mera Shakti,Swasthya Sahayata Kendras (JSSKs), sustainable agriculture, etc. SHGs are skillfully trained to be leaders, financially literate, local health service assistants, and agri-entrepreneurs, thus providing sustainable livelihoods for many women. In India, where women contribute only 18% of GDP, despite comprising 48% of the population according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), Jeevika addresses and alleviates the economic and employment challenges.
Jeevika helped micro–entrepreneurs
Jeevika supported many rural women by providing low-interest loans and lifted them from misery to means. One such story is of Soni from Jamui, who took a loan of ₹10,000 in 2018 to start a saree business and later expanded her business into cosmetics and mask–making during COVID-19. Mask sales surged due to high demand in hospitals, NGOs, and among rural people. This generated a monthly income of ₹20,000, and people affectionately called her “Lakhpati Didi.” This program not only changed the life of Soni but also her family, and became the epitome of inspiration to many other women. As of now, 6.48 lakh women have established their small enterprises through Jeevika.
Didis are proudly building a brighter future
Jeevika Didis are leading everywhere, from being socially collaborative with other villages, forming SHGs, and building robust trust, to being financially independent. The CEO of Jeevika, Himanshu Sharma, says, “This is not a welfare scheme. This is about dignity, financial power, and community trust, built from the ground up.” In the coming days, Didis will explore the tech field and expand their business through digital marketing via e-commerce platforms, gaining greater access to a wider market.
The next phase will also address gender-based social issues and push more youth, especially the daughters of SHG members, through training in entrepreneurship and digital literacy. Himanshu says the women of Jeevika are not asking for freebies or donations; they are establishing themselves for a dignified livelihood. In April 2025, Himanshu mentioned that 1.35 lakh Didis took part in the women’s dialogue, engaging almost 2 crore rural women in 48,000 villages. Jeevika is not just a program — it’s a revolution for women, by women, serving women, and a promise of trust and hope to many families.
