Introduction
At Development Consortium, gender equality is not just a goal—it is embedded across all our interventions. Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and intersecting with SDG 3 (Health) and SDG 4 (Education), our programs work to remove barriers that limit opportunity, autonomy, and access for women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals.
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We address systemic inequality through a combination of direct services, education, community mobilization, and policy advocacy. Our efforts span rural and urban India—supporting women to lead businesses, pursue higher education, access better health and nutrition, and exercise their rights freely and safely. By challenging harmful gender norms and creating safe, inclusive spaces, our programs aim to build a more equitable and just society—one household, one community at a time.
Fostering Women-Led Innovation and Entrepreneurship
​We support women entrepreneurs by equipping them with the skills, mentorship, networks, and access to capital needed to succeed. Through our national initiative, Shakti – The Empathy Project (STEP), we are working toward enabling 10,000 women entrepreneurs by 2030. The program fosters a collaborative ecosystem rooted in empathy, learning, funding, and community. In 2024–25, the launch of UnPollute—our flagship platform for women-led startups in sustainability and climate-tech—expanded STEP’s reach to a new generation of change-makers, especially from underserved regions.
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Supporting Higher Education For Young Women
​We believe that education is the first step toward independence. Through Streeksha, we support adolescent girls who are at risk of dropping out due to social or financial barriers. The program offers targeted scholarships, mentorship, life skills sessions, and career exposure opportunities—enabling girls to continue their education with dignity and confidence. Streeksha not only funds education but also builds self-belief, resilience, and ambition in young women who are determined to shape their own futures.
Improving Health Outcomes For Adolescent Girls and Women
Health is a foundation for gender equity, and we work to close the persistent gaps in women's access to quality care. Sampushti, our health and nutrition initiative, focuses on tackling iron-deficiency anemia among adolescent girls and women—one of the most widespread yet preventable health issues in India. Through school-based anemia screenings, nutrition counseling, and family education, the program helps girls better understand their bodies, access timely care, and lead healthier lives. By addressing this silent crisis, we aim to unlock greater physical and emotional well-being for adolescent girls and their communities.
Strengthening Families Through Knowledge, Nutrition, and Identity
In low-income urban neighborhoods like Trilokpuri in East Delhi, women and families often face multiple, overlapping challenges—including poor nutrition, limited access to healthcare, and lack of legal identity. Our Community Empowerment Project, implemented in collaboration with the Foundation for Equal Citizenship (FFEC), addresses these issues through practical, community-driven interventions. Women participate in hands-on sessions that cover topics such as balanced diets, maternal care, food budgeting, and cooking for children’s health. At the same time, the project helps families secure Aadhaar cards, birth certificates, and access to welfare schemes. By building knowledge and confidence, the program transforms women into powerful agents of change within their households and communities.
Defending the Freedom to Love and Live with Dignity
The right to choose one’s partner is a basic freedom—but for many, especially those in interfaith or inter-caste relationships, it is a fight for survival. Our Supporting Right to Choice program works with individuals who face honor-based violence, coercion, or legal discrimination due to their relationship choices. The initiative offers legal support, crisis counseling, safe housing, and mental health care, while also working at the policy level to reform restrictive laws like the Special Marriage Act. Active in 11 states, the program supports survivors directly and promotes a more inclusive narrative around love, autonomy, and dignity. It also conducts community outreach, youth workshops, and publishes research to challenge stigma and inform public dialogue.