Empowering women through fashion 

Women empowerment stands as the cornerstone of societal progress, fuelling equality, innovation and sustainable development. In India, where traditional norms often restrict opportunities, empowering women is vital for dismantling barriers and driving both economic and social growth. By equipping women with education, resources and equal opportunities, entire communities are uplifted, paving the way for future generations to thrive in a more inclusive and equitable world.

The Fempowerment Foundation, recently launched a pioneering initiative that embodies this vision. Underprivileged women who completed a free six-month stitching course celebrated their graduation with a special ceremony that showcased their self-designed, hand-stitched collections. In a powerful and inspiring fashion show, the women proudly modelled their creations, demonstrating newfound confidence, creativity and independence.

Ajay Shrivastav, founder of Gingerblu and the Fempowerment Foundation, underscored the significance of economic empowerment, remarking, “When she is ill, she should be able to buy a pill.” To support this mission, a thoughtfully designed syllabus was created with guidance from Shrivastav, Dr. Pratima Goyal, Head of the Department of Textile and Fashion Technology at Nirmala Niketan and the Foundation’s dedicated team of teachers.

The syllabus was officially unveiled by Dhiraj Khandelwal, CCM of ICAI, and Chairman of several influential committees, including CMIB, MSME & Startup and Development of International Trade, Services, and WTO. The graduation certificates were presented by Sunil Agarwal, Group CEO of the Prakash Jha Group.

Kiren Srivastav, Founder of Fempowerment Foundation and Awards, expressed her joy at this milestone, stating, “A happy woman is an empowered woman. With this step, we have achieved a significant milestone, introducing many firsts for these women—happy and empowered.”

Today, the Fempowerment Foundation supports over 125 women, many of whom have flourished through this transformative program, contributing to a more just, equitable, and empowered society.