Vol. 2, Issue 2, Part A (2025)

Women’s empowerment in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) has gained significant momentum through government-led initiatives aimed at enhancing economic, social, and digital inclusion. This study examines the effectiveness of major empowerment programs, particularly the UMEED initiative under the Jammu & Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM), which has mobilized thousands of women into Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to promote financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, and collective decision-making. Complementing this is the SAATH enterprise acceleration program, which equips women with mentorship, market linkages, and business development skills, enabling them to transition from subsistence-based livelihoods to sustainable micro-enterprises. Digital empowerment initiatives such as the DIGI-Pay Sakhi program further strengthen financial access by enabling rural women to deliver digital banking services within their communities. Despite significant progress, challenges persist, including socio-cultural constraints, digital illiteracy, inadequate infrastructure, and gaps in policy implementation. Using secondary data and qualitative thematic analysis, this study identifies key barriers while highlighting strengths and opportunities within the existing empowerment ecosystem. The findings suggest that strengthening SHG networks, expanding digital literacy, improving market linkages, and integrating multi-dimensional support systems are essential for sustaining and scaling empowerment initiatives. The study provides strategic recommendations to enhance women’s agency and promote inclusive development across Jammu & Kashmir.