Impacting women through economic and social empowerment

Ola, one of the world's largest ride-hailing platforms, it launched its drive to enable sustainable livelihoods for 500,000 women through its social welfare arm, Ola Foundation.

The Foundation will focus on enabling economic empowerment for women through employment-linked skills training, financial literacy and social empowerment through life-skills education.

A charitable trust set up in December 2016, Ola Foundation has been actively involved in projects related to women empowerment over the last two years.

Observations, research and interactions with women, including spouses of Ola's driver-partners in Bangalore, has shown how active participation by women in the workforce can significantly improve quality of life for the whole family.

The Foundation's training programs so far include training in textile production and printing, financial and digital literacy programs, health awareness, and vocational skills.

Ola Foundation has partnered with various organisations to deliver programs that will focus on Economic and Social empowerment of women.

According to a report by the Clinton Global Initiative, children's education was prioritised in families where women were earning members and up to 90 per cent of a woman's income was spent on children and the family.

Ola Foundation has also partnered with Gram Tarangfor social empowerment and life skills training with a 60-hour interactive program.

This program enhances specific competencies such as communication, problem-solving, decision making, health, hygiene and sanitation.

This academically proven module helps improve self-worth and increases confidence among women leading to holistic development.