In an effort to fuel the growth of India’s women-entrepreneurial and small business community, WhatsApp through its partnership with Mann Deshi Foundation has continued to invest in democratising the platform for digitizing and scaling. The onset of pandemic, marked as a true testament on how adoption of technological solutions could enhance and sustain business needs.
 Determined to proliferate rural businesses at grass-root level, generate employment opportunities and promote economic growth in India, WhatsApp along with Mann Deshi Foundation conducted an engaging FB live session, celebrated bigger achievements of women from smaller cities of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat. During the event, three Mann Deshi women–Sangita Tupe (Goat Paravet), Sandhya Jagtap (Online retail business women) and Kalpna Mali (Cold Pressed Oils businesswomen), along with 28 other rural women were felicitated to laud their determination to triumph and brave the storm.
Commenting at the event, Shivnath Thukral, Director – Public Policy, WhatsApp India said, “WhatsApp is helping to bridge the digital gender divide in India and strengthening the way forward towards digital inclusion. In envisioning a progressive India, Mann Deshi women achievers are the real torch bearers of digital empowerment. WhatsApp as a digital ally for every Indian, is a vision that we continue to nurture. It not only democratises access but also adds reach and scale to communication, skill-building and e-commerce while building better efficiencies for businesses. We are excited about WhatsApp’s contribution as a transformative tool that enables building a self-reliant Bharat through digital empowerment and financial inclusion of women.â€
“During the lockdown I was amazed by our women’s resilience. They rose to each challenge and used WhatsApp as both a connector and enabler. Through this platform, they shared information, sold and marketed their products, built a digital ecosystem where they taught their communities how to make digital payments and rebuilt their businesses. This not just impacted them but also transformed their communitiesâ€, said Chetna Sinha, Founder and President, Mann Deshi Foundation.