Story of Amrapali
Amrapali, India
Thousands of women who took part in a multi-year initiative known as Project Nirmanshree are making headway in the male-dominated construction sector. They include Amrapali who gained certifications in entrepreneurship and related skills through government schemes with the support of Habitat for Humanity India and its partners. are making headway in the male-dominated construction sector. They include Amrapali who gained certifications in entrepreneurship and related skills through government schemes with the support of Habitat for Humanity India and its partners.
Project Nirmanshree — a combination of Hindi and Sanskrit words that means “building women” — was funded by the European Union and implemented by Habitat India. By the project’s completion in December 2023, a total of 2,710 women across four districts in India’s Odisha and Maharashtra states have improved their livelihoods and employment opportunities in housing-related trades. The initiative empowers marginalized women through construction and entrepreneurship development training, creating greater access to government services related to housing and advocacy work.
Video screenshot of Amrapali. She started a centering plate business after participating in the European Union-funded Project Nirmanshree in India.
Amrapali also formed a self-help group with 11 other women who each contributes 100 Indian rupees monthly into an account with a local bank. She used the seed money from the savings group to set up a small enterprise. Named after her son, Saurabh Construction Services provides centering plates that are used to support concrete slabs and beams during the construction process. The business also employs other women from Amrapali’s village. By 2023, sales revenue reached 80,000 Indian rupees with orders coming in from across the community.
“Without taking a firm decision to leave the house and start working, your family will not progress. Today, I am able to interact with bank officials and others without fear,” said Amrapali.