Lok Sabha Question No. 2022 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-29
Subject: Mahila E-haat
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Hema Malini, Poonam (Mahajan) Vajendla Rao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2022

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.11.2019

## MAHILA E-HAAT

## 2022.  SHRIMATI HEMA MALINI: SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a direct online marketing platform named 'Mahila E-haat' is run by Central Government to support women entrepreneurs, Self-Help Groups and Non-Governmental Organizations to showcase products made and services rendered by them, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether 'Mahila E-haat' is proving very instrumental in financially empowering  women  entrepreneurs  and  workers  in  the  country,  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Ministry has taken any steps to enhance marketing of products manufactured  by  women  entrepreneurs  in  rural  areas  and  the  details  of women entrepreneurs getting benefit of the ambitious plan of Mahila Haat, launched in 2016, State-wise;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  set  any  criteria  for  inclusion  of  products  on Mahila E-haat;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) the  steps  taken  to  ensure  that  the  benefits  are  reaching  out  to  maximum number of women entrepreneurs and the people?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a) Yes,  Sir.  The  Ministry  of  Women  &  Child  Development  (MWCD)  launched 'Mahila  E-Haat'  on  07 th March  2016,  which  is  a    unique  direct  online  emarketing platform to support and empower women entrepreneurs, Self Help Groups (SHGs) or Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
- (b) Mahila  E-Haat  website  displays  the  contact  details  of  the  vendor/seller, making it easier for the buyers to contact them directly and place their orders. This  unique  e-platform  strengthens  the  socio-economic  empowerment  of women as it mobilizes and provides better opportunities to them.
- (c) Awareness  cum  soft  intervention  &  sensitization  workshops  have  been organized  for  the  existing  and  new  vendors  who  have  shown  interest  in joining  Mahila  E-haat  portal.  Appropriate  interventions, capacity  building, digital  and  financial  literacy  workshops  at  the  grassroots  level  have  been undertaken in different States. Workshops along with State  Women Development Corporations have been held in Nagaland (2016), New Delhi (2016),  Madhya  Pradesh  (2016  and  2018),  Kerala  (2016),  Chandigarh (2016),  Maharashtra  (2016  and  2018),  Chhattisgarh  (2016),  Telangana (2016),  Uttar  Pradesh  (2016  and  2017),  Meghalaya  (2018)  and  Jharkhand (2019).  Mahila  E-haat  vendors  were  provided  stalls  at  Mahalaxmi  Saras Exhibition  (2017),  Chitrakoot  Mela  (2017),  Vibrant  North  East  Mela  (2017), Women of India  (2017  and  2018)  and  Vibrant  Gujarat  Global  Trade  Show (2019) to showcase and sell their products.
- (d)&(e) The products can be uploaded in 18 categories. Terms and Conditions for Participants/  Vendors  in  Mahila  E-Haat  are  available  on  Mahila  E-haat
- (f)
- 1.
- 2.

website. The following steps have been taken to ensure that the benefits reach out to maximum number of women entrepreneurs: Strengthening of new and existing vendors at grassroot level by visiting their place  of  work  and  facilitating  their  enrolment  process  for  registering  as  a Mahila E-haat vendor. State Level awareness cum soft intervention and sensitization workshops for existing and new vendors.

3. Active participation in various Exhibitions, Events and Meals through Ministry of Women and Child Development.
2. ****