“They deserve to dream, too,” says Nusrat, speaking about the young girls from her community whom she employs. Nusrat, a young woman of 24 years from Bagru, Rajasthan, once quietly defied her family’s plans for her marriage to build a career. Today, she runs her own salon.
A few years ago, Nusrat enrolled in a Beauty and Wellness vocational education course offered at her government school in Bagru. During this time, she also apprenticed at a beauty parlour, taught tuition classes, and saved money. Her father disapproved of her work, so she quietly built her skill set and future, determined to start her own salon on day.
Today, at her salon, she provides free training to young girls and women from her community and then employs them. Often, she returns to her school as a peer trainer to assist students and provide career guidance. She hopes to grow her business to create more jobs for women like her, who lack the financial means and family support to pursue their dreams.
This International Women’s Day, Nusrat’s story offers a powerful reminder that when women are given access to opportunities, they do much more than just improve their own lives. They help to transform communities while also creating opportunities for other women. This day offers us a moment to reflect on the progress made in advancing women’s rights. Economic independence is often a critical turning point in this journey. When women earn, they gain greater voice and decision-making power within their households. Skilling can be a first step towards women’s economic empowerment.
In recent years, several states have begun investing in skill development as a pathway to economic empowerment. Rajasthan was among the first in India to establish a Skill Development Mission as early as 2004, recognising the importance of building employable skills among young people. Over the years, this commitment has deepened. This year’s state budget announced that vocational courses will be introduced in 500 additional schools and that allocations for the skill mission will be significantly increased.
When skilling translates to employment for women, it offers much more than just financial independence. It can strengthen their voice, agency, and decision-making power, while also giving young women the confidence to pursue dreams they once thought were impossible. Reenu’s journey is one such story.
Her story begins in a small village near Udaipur. She grew up in a family where every rupee mattered. Her father was the only earning member of the household, working as a farmer on land that did not belong to him. The income he brought home was just enough to feed the family. Things changed when she learnt about a skill development course in her neighbourhood. She persuaded her parents and enrolled in a retail associate training course. Soon after completing the course, she got a job. Today, she earns a salary that helped repay her father’s loan while continuing her education.
For Reenu, this was only the beginning. She now speaks openly about her aspirations. One day, she hopes to pursue a master’s degree and even dreams of becoming a loco pilot in the Indian Railways — a dream that once felt far beyond reach.
What connects both the stories of Nusrat and Reenu is the enabling skill development ecosystem in Rajasthan and Project Manzil, implemented by IPE Global in collaboration with the Government of Rajasthan. From strengthening the delivery of vocational education in schools to identifying young women like Reenu and enrolling them in skill training centres of their choice, to placing them in gender-friendly workplaces, Manzil has expanded what is possible for young women in Rajasthan; it has enabled 28,000 young women to complete their skill training, 16,000 of whom are gainfully employed. Notably, 70% of these women have remained in work for over six months.
For Rajasthan, efforts like Manzil align closely with the state’s broader vision of development. The idea of Viksit Rajasthan recognises that sustainable growth cannot be achieved without the participation of women. From expanding skill development initiatives to supporting women’s entrepreneurship and mobility, the state has increasingly emphasised women-led development as a key driver of progress. This year’s budget has also placed importance on skilling initiatives – Vocational courses introduced in 500 new schools and doubled the allocation for Rajasthan Kaushal Mission.
At the national level, this vision feeds into the larger aspiration of Viksit Bharat @ 2047, a developed India where growth is inclusive and opportunities are accessible to all. Increasing women’s participation in the workforce is central to achieving this goal. When women gain access to education, skills, and stable employment, the benefits extend far beyond individual households. As families become more secure, communities become more resilient, and economies grow stronger.
In many ways, Nusrat and Reenu’s journey captures the spirit of this transformation. Their stories remind us that economic empowerment is not a single moment of change; rather, it is a process. It begins with skills, grows through opportunities for employment, and becomes meaningful when women can stay, grow, and lead in the workforce.
Perhaps that is also the deeper meaning of International Women’s Day. It is a day to celebrate women’s achievements, but also to reflect on what more needs to be done to unlock their full potential. Because when women run toward their dreams, just as Nusrat and Reenu did, they do not walk alone. They create a path that many others can follow.
Disclaimer: Names of young women mentioned in this article have been changed to protect their privacy.
