By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: May 28, 2025 Women’s contributions to building holistic communities have long gone unrecognised. Often, the silent workforce, their commitment and labour remain overlooked. However, initiatives like Smartpur, a digital village ecosystem, are helping change that narrative by providing women a platform to harness their skills, become entrepreneurs, and lead…
By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: May 28, 2025 In the small village of Mithiyawas, nestled in the Tijara tehsil of Alwar district, Rajasthan, lives 65-year-old Ramkali. A widow, she has been managing her life with the help of her widow’s pension. However, for the past three to four months, she had not received her…
By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: May 28, 2025 At the heart of Digital Empowerment Foundation’s mission lies a simple yet powerful belief: everyone, regardless of where they live or what language they speak, should have equitable access to digital tools, knowledge, and opportunities. This month’s newsletter focuses on digital resilience and how DEF is…
By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: May 06, 2025 Cyber fraud is a growing menace in rural India, as rapid digitalisation outpaces the spread of digital literacy. Vulnerable communities often fall prey to sophisticated scams that exploit their limited understanding of online safety. Badla village in Jharkhand is a case in point, where a resident,…
By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: May 06, 2025 Gender Digital Divide and AI Exclusion in India Introduction As AI shapes governance and society, its design often reflects existing inequalities rather than dismantling them. In India, the gender digital divide already limits access to technology, with women, transgender, and non-binary individuals facing systemic barriers. When…
By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: May 06, 2025 In the village of Gurmukh Ki Dhani, Tijara Tehsil, Alwar, Rajasthan, 65-year-old Santo Bai has endured a life of physical hardship and financial insecurity. Living with a disability in both legs, she depends on her government-issued disability pension to survive. But withdrawing that pension each month…
By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: May 06, 2025 In the rural heartlands of Karor village, Haryana, a quiet revolution is unfolding. Jamuna Devi, a 35-year-old woman, once worked as a farmhand on her husband’s land, unaware of the opportunities that government schemes and collective self-help could bring her way. With no formal education and…
By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: May 06, 2025 For centuries, handloom weaving has been deeply woven into Bengal’s cultural fabric, and the town of Santipur in Nadia district is particularly celebrated for its exquisite textiles. Among its many artisans, Sheuli Khatun stands out as a passionate weaver preserving and evolving this rich tradition. Sheuli…
By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: May 06, 2025 Salem is a paradise surrounded by hills and dotted with hillocks. With its vibrant culture, Salem is significant in various aspects, noteworthy for its location and social setup. Besides its well-known textile industries, especially handloom products and handicrafts, Salem is also known for its eye-catching scenic…
By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: May 06, 2025 Chandni, a 28-year-old resident of Chvad Padi village in Rajasthan’s Alwar district, lives with her husband, father-in-law, and three young children, one son and two daughters. Coming from an economically marginalised background, Chandni has long defied gender stereotypes in her pursuit of financial independence and dignity.…