Odisha govt joins hands with UNCDF to drive economic empowerment of women.

Why in news?

• The Odisha government has signed an agreement with the United Nations Capital Development Fund to empower women economically and drive gender equality in the state.

About agreement between Odisha government and UNCDF

• Under the joint initiative, the launch of Mission Shakti Living Lab was announced.
• This partnership will address barriers that limit women’s access to financial security, autonomy and financial freedom with use of digital technologies and rising e-commerce industry in India.
• It will help 3.5 million self-help groups (SHG) women members and low income individuals to have access to digital financial services and improved financial health.
• The initiative will also help 10,000 women-led micro-enterprises get better access to affordable market opportunities, capital for business promotion, and market solutions for better linkages.
• The programme will improve the ability of SHG members and households to plan, save, borrow or spend better thereby improving their women’s financial wellbeing.