Goa Launches Women Entrepreneurship Platform to Empower Nari Shakti

May, 14 : The Department of Rural Development, Government of Goa, in collaboration with , launched the Goa State Chapter of the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) at Lok Bhavan in the presence of Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant. The initiative aims to strengthen women-led entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic participation across the State.

 
The Goa WEP Chapter introduces a structured one-year action plan focused on entrepreneurship development, mentorship, startup networking, investor engagement, digital empowerment, skill building, and improved market access for women entrepreneurs. The platform also unveiled key initiatives including a dedicated programme to promote One District One Product (ODOP) through women entrepreneurs, the ATR Handicrafts Programme to support women-led artisanal enterprises, collaboration with for capacity building and skill development, and the BRICS Women Startup Contest 2026 initiative to encourage emerging women-led startups.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant said,

 

 “Our vision is to create a strong ecosystem where every woman in Goa becomes self-reliant, confident, and economically empowered.” He urged women to move beyond hesitation and embrace entrepreneurship with confidence, highlighting the importance of training, mentorship, packaging support, and market linkages for building sustainable enterprises.

CM Dr. Sawant further emphasized that initiatives like ODOP will help promote Goa’s traditional products and strengthen rural livelihoods, while also highlighting the potential of a future “One Taluka One Product” model to enhance regional identity and grassroots entrepreneurship. The Government of Goa continues to support nearly 1.5 lakh women through various welfare schemes, financial assistance programmes, and empowerment initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and self-reliance.

The initiative aligns with the national vision of women led development, where under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi Ji, women empowerment and Nari Shakti have emerged as central pillars of India’s growth journey. The launch of the WEP Goa State Chapter marks a key step towards building an inclusive, innovation-driven, and self-reliant entrepreneurial ecosystem for women in Goa aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat.

The launch ceremony was attended by Mission Director of the Women Entrepreneurship Platform and Programme Director at NITI Aayog, Ms. Anna Roy; Secretary, Rural Development, Shri Arjun Mohan; Director, Rural Development, Shri Premraj Shirodkar; Director, DPSE, Shri Vijay Saxena; Project Director, DRDA South Goa, Smt. Dipali Naik; along with women entrepreneurs, self-help groups, startup founders, industry representatives, and ecosystem partners.