What is
Saksham Card?
The eSaheli Saksham Card is a digitally-enabled access pass that allows financially underprivileged women to enroll in certified, skill-based online training programs for free. Each card carries a unique code which can be redeemed on the eSaheli platform, offering women the flexibility to choose from a curated list of practical, job-oriented courses. The card acts as the gateway to income-generating education in regional languages — beginning with Marathi and soon expanding to Hindi and other Indian languages.
More than just a voucher, the Saksham Card is a symbol of empowerment. It’s the first step a woman takes toward learning a skill, earning an income, and gaining self- confidence. Distributed through on-ground EMVF camps, the card is explained in person by trained volunteers, who guide women on how to redeem it using a mobile phone. This ensures that even women with limited digital literacy are able to access and benefit from the training.
The Saksham Card represents the core philosophy of EMVF: that dignity and opportunity should not come with a price tag. By making it free for recipients and fully funded through donor contributions, the card provides a seamless, barrier-free entry into a brighter, self-reliant future.
HOW IT WORKS?
Once a woman receives her Saksham Card at an EMVF camp, she is guided through a step-by-step onboarding process. Each card contains a unique code that she can redeem directly on the eSaheli learning portal. The platform offers two redemption options:
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One long-duration course worth ₹999
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OR two short-format courses worth ₹499 each
The courses currently include over 10 beauty and wellness skills — such as basic and advanced makeup, salon basics, nail art, mehendi, hair styling, and saree draping — all taught in Marathi by expert instructors. Each course includes pre-recorded lessons, PDF notes, assignments, certification, and post-course guidance.
Once enrolled, the woman gets lifetime access to the content. She can revisit videos anytime, complete assignments at her own pace, and even receive doubt-solving support. The model is designed for flexible, self-paced learning — especially ideal for homemakers or women managing family responsibilities.
After completing the course, beneficiaries are invited to local certificate distribution and convocation events organized by EMVF. These events not only celebrate their learning journey but also boost their credibility and confidence as service professionals within their communities.
Utility & Benefits
The Saksham Card is more than just a free course pass — it’s a complete empowerment package. It empowers women to:
Learn practical,
monetizable skills
from home
Increase family income without migrating to urban areas
Gain government-recognized certification
Start freelancing or home-based businesses
Build self-esteem and inspire others in the community
eSaheli Saksham Card & the UN Sustainable Development Goals
At eSaheli Mahila Vikas Foundation, our mission is not only to empower women but to contribute meaningfully to a global movement for sustainable development.
Our core initiative — the eSaheli Saksham Card — is deeply aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a universal framework adopted by 193 countries to address the world’s most pressing challenges by 2030.
The Saksham Card is more than a digital access key to skill development. It is a strategic enabler of three critical SDGs: Gender Equality (Goal 5), Quality Education (Goal 4), and Decent Work & Economic Growth (Goal 8). Here's how:
"Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all"
The courses accessed via the Saksham Card are not generic or theoretical. They are professionally designed, regional-language-based, digitally delivered, and certified. These are practical, job-oriented courses that teach real skills — not only to pass a test but to earn a living.
The flexibility of learning anytime, from anywhere, makes the program accessible to homemakers, school dropouts, and women with no prior digital literacy. The platform includes support systems like walkthrough videos, live assistance, assignments, and a certificate of completion — ensuring inclusive, high-quality learning with real- world relevance.
"Achieve gender equality and empowerall women and girls"
The Saksham Card breaks down barriers that prevent women — especially in rural and underserved areas — from accessing economic opportunities. By offering free access to certified, skill-based courses in beauty, wellness, and creative sectors, the card empowers women to become income earners, entrepreneurs, and confident decision-makers in their homes and communities.
In regions where patriarchal norms and financial dependency limit women’s agency, the ability to learn from home and earn from home is transformational. The Saksham Card enables women to step into the workforce on their own terms — with dignity, flexibility, and a sense of self-worth. This directly supports gender equity in economic participation and fosters more balanced household dynamics.
"Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all"
India has one of the lowest female labor force participation rates among G20 countries — just 23.3% in 2021 (World Bank). The Saksham Card addresses this gap by offering women vocational training that leads to tangible income opportunities, especially in informal sectors where jobs are otherwise inaccessible.
Whether a woman becomes a home-based beauty service provider, a bridal makeup artist, a mehendi freelancer, or a salon assistant, the foundation lays the groundwork for micro-entrepreneurship and job creation. As more women begin contributing economically, local ecosystems thrive, families stabilize financially, and the broader economy becomes more inclusive and resilient.