New Delhi, November 9, 2023: The makers of Dulux paints, Akzo Nobel India is celebrating its Indradhanush women who are creating an empowered and diverse future in rural India. The company had launched Project Indradhanush in 2021 with the sole objective of enabling women to drive micro-entrepreneurship and socio-economic development in rural India. The societal initiative that started in one village in Assam has now expanded to benefit women in 500 villages across the six states of Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka.
To date, Project Indradhanush has raised awareness about new livelihood opportunities available in the paint business to 34,000 rural women. More than 1,500 rural women are now challenging gender norms as vocationally trained Indradhanush painters.
Elaborating on the impact of this initiative, Rajiv Rajgopal, Managing Director, Akzo Nobel India said, "On the joyous occasion of Diwali, we are proud that Project Indradhanush is playing a role in lighting up a more sustainable future in rural India. By providing women with the necessary paint know-how, resources and vocational skills in the form of decorative paint application and entrepreneurship training, Project Indradhanush is unlocking a colourful rainbow of hope, empowerment, and financial independence at the grassroots level.”
Project Indradhanush has also created over 300 first-time women paint entrepreneurs in 500 villages in India. Many of the Indradhanush paint-preneurs, who were earlier either homemakers or managing existing small shops including grocery, stationary etc., are now adding a layer of financial resilience for their families.The final link of this self-sustaining 100% women-driven ecosystem is the Indradhanush dealerships–the bridge between Indradhanush women painters and small store owners.
