Speaking at CoopKumbh 2025 in New Delhi, Ms. Vaishali Awade, Vice-Chairperson of the Maharashtra Urban Cooperative Banks Federation, emphasized the need for stronger institutional support, training, and technology adoption to empower rural women through the cooperative movement.
Awade, who hails from Ichalkaranji and is also a garment entrepreneur, said she has a deep desire to represent rural areas and help women become financially independent.
“Women today are taking initiatives and showing leadership in many fields. In urban areas, women have made significant progress, but in rural regions, much remains to be done,” she observed.
Highlighting the importance of capacity-building, Awade stressed that training for rural women is essential, especially in the use of modern technology. “We have made several efforts through self-help groups (SHGs), but due to lack of proper market access, these initiatives have not reached their full potential,” she said.
Awade urged the government to show greater flexibility in rules and regulations for women-led cooperatives, noting that rural women are still not financially resilient. She added that women should be encouraged and trained according to their individual skills and talents, ensuring inclusive growth within the cooperative sector.
“There is immense potential for women in the cooperative movement,” Awade concluded, “and with the right training and support, rural women can lead meaningful change.”
