On International Women's Day, we often see headlines celebrating powerful women. But today, we shift the focus to a group of remarkable changemakers whose stories rarely make the front page: rural women entrepreneurs. These inspiring leaders are not just combating climate change; they're driving social progress in their communities, one innovative step at a time.
Meet Jayalakshmi, Sarvari, Sujatha, and Bhagyamma. These women are shattering stereotypes and building a more sustainable future. Their journeys highlight the immense power of women's leadership in tackling complex issues. From tackling plastic pollution with cloth bags to promoting organic farming and creating eco-friendly products, these women demonstrate the ingenuity and unwavering dedication needed to create lasting change.
Get ready to be inspired by their stories as we delve into the ripple effect of their work - how they're creating jobs and empowering other women in their communities. We'll explore their sustainable solutions with local roots, innovative approaches to reduce waste, promote healthy living, and combat climate change, all grounded in their specific environments. Finally, witness how these women are breaking barriers, building hope, and defying traditional gender roles. They are proving that women are not just at the forefront of environmental action, but leading the charge.
These remarkable achievements wouldn't be possible without the support of organizations like Buzz Women. Through their Buzz Green Programme, Buzz Women equips rural women with the skills and resources needed to become climate warriors and social entrepreneurs. Furthermore, Buzz Women is part of a powerful collaborative called ClimateRISE Alliance. This alliance brings together various stakeholders to accelerate India's journey towards climate resilience, particularly for the most vulnerable communities.
Prepare to be captivated by the journeys of these remarkable women and discover the innovative ways they're tackling climate change in their communities.
Jayalakshmi
Entrepreneur | Climate Action Leader | Influencer
Nelavagilu is a medium-sized village in the Hosakote taluka of Bangalore Rural district in Karnataka
If in a day, I can get 10 people to switch from plastic to cloth bags, I feel like I have made a difference
Jayalakshmi bought her own sewing machine to encourage people to trade plastic for cloth bags. Today, she employs 5 other women in her own entrepreneurial venture where they stitch uniforms and cloth bags for school kids in the village
I started my journey as a daily wage earner, tailoring at a garment factory in the Nelavagilu Village in Karnataka. While I used to work very hard and spend long days managing my responsibilities at the factory, my house and of my children, my mind was always preoccupied with the deteriorating state of my surroundings. I used to see plastic everywhere around me - from people carelessly using plastic bags for every little thing, to plastic waste covering the streets and choking animals. When Buzz Women came to my village with its skilling program, I was inspired to pursue something on my own. I wanted to do something not only to support myself and my family, but also to address the plastic waste issue. I realised I had the power to change the behaviour of people around me and the state of my village.
I was able to buy my own sewing machine and I started to stitch cloth bags. The first 50 bags that I stitched, I gave them away for free. I wanted to change the mindset of people and get them to stop using plastic bags. I knew once they saw the value in using cloth bags, they would not go back to plastic bags. And today, people come up to me and ask to buy these bags for 50 rupees each. If in a day, I can get 10 people to switch from plastic to cloth bags, I feel like I have made a difference.
Today, I employ 5 other women in my business and we together stitch uniforms and cloth bags for school kids in the village. I am also the President of Sthree Shakti Sangha, a self-help-group, where I support other women in their journey of becoming entrepreneurs and proactively taking charge of the climate crisis. Through my participation in the Panchayat meetings, I try to influence people to change their behaviours and become climate conscious. Recently, I started to ask people to stop buying meat in plastic bags. I encourage them to carry their own boxes to the shop. And the shopkeeper has told me that over fifty people have started bringing their own dabbas. My village was also awarded the Adarsha Grama Award (Model Village Award) because of how we have collectively reduced plastic consumption and switched to sustainable alternatives.
Sarvari
Entrepreneur | Disruptor
Yelachahalli village is located in Hosakote taluka of Bangalore Rural district in Karnataka
“People considered working with waste to be ‘unladylike’”
Today, Savari owns her own warehouse and has hired more women to expand her practice of waste segregation
After my marriage, I used to spend my days looking after my elderly in-laws, children and managing the house. The thought of doing something for myself often crossed my mind but I didn’t have the time or luxury to do anything. When my husband suffered a spinal cord injury, I found myself in a position to support my family. Surprisingly, at the very time I was looking to do something for myself, I found out about Buzz Women’s Spoorthi (Inspiration) Fellowship Programme. Through the fellowship, I learned about the hazardous impact waste was causing on the health of locals, and the environment of my village. Yet nobody was ready to segregate waste. I thought, why don’t I take it up and make a business out of it. Initially, I faced a lot of backlash from my community. People considered working with waste to be ‘unladylike’. When I started doing this work, I gave women bags to fill with recyclable plastic waste. But no woman did that. So, I decided to incentivise them, by offering Rs.10 per bag of recyclable waste. That is what brought the change and made them segregate waste.
After collecting this waste, I would sell it to recycling factories. This immensely boosted my confidence and made me scale my business. I resolved to start my own godown and hire a few women to expand my practice. My success and impact have changed the perspective of so many people in village. I have also been able to educate my son and provide for my family through my business. I dream of a pollution free environment, and it brings me so much happiness to know that I am working towards realising my dream.
Sujatha
Climate Warrior | Disruptor
Ajjavara is a village in the Chikkaballapur taluka of the Kolar district in Karnataka
“Organic pesticide-free produce usually doesn’t look very good, but it’s far more healthy”
Sujata started her business of producing organic natural oil to combat the harmful effect of chemicals found in mass-produced food
During the pandemic, I was struggling to make ends meet. I was restricted within the four walls of my home and wasn’t able to step outside and make a living for myself. My health was also deteriorating, and I felt helpless in more ways than one. I heard about the Buzz Vyapar program from a friend and decided to join it. Before this, I had worked as the head chef for my village school’s mid-meal scheme, earning Rs. 650 per month for 10 years, but I had always wondered what it would be like to be my own boss. During our skilling sessions, I saw so many women of my community learn collectively and take initiative to start their businesses. This instilled motivation and confidence in me. I wanted to start my own business of organic natural oil. Oil is one of the most necessary ingredients in Indian food preparations. But a lot of oil that is produced has chemicals and nuts that are grown with fertilisers. At some point, I wanted to farm and create my own produce for the oil. But the increasing unpredictability of the weather made it very difficult for me to depend on my own produce. When I farmed, there was no water, and when I wasn’t farming, there was water. So, I reached out to farmers who I trusted would produce organic pesticide free nuts. Organic pesticide-free produce usually doesn’t look very good. Food produced with chemicals fertilisers looks good but tastes bad and is harmful. Hence, nurturing relationships with farmers was critical for me so that I could get the best raw materials possible. My intention with my oil, and to create something healthy, and something that does emit fumes while cooking or create waste. It’s been a while now since I set out on the journey to be a climate conscious entrepreneur and now, I not only supply organic ethically produced oil to my and neighbouring villages but have also ensured to sensitise my buyers about reusable packaging and the importance of being conscious buyers and consumers. My income has increased substantially. I employ 2 women in my business. My business generates no waste. The leftover material from oil processing is used as fodder for my livestock. I am now a proud and confident business owner who encourages women around me to start their own ecopreneurship journeys.
Bhagyamma
Independent | Innovator | Climate Conscious
Arakere village is located in the Tumkur taluka of Tumkur district in Karnataka
“My dream is to supply my product across my district and sensitise the consumers of the benefits of making climate conscious choices”
Bhagyamma started her own chemical-free organic tooth powder business to create a healthier alternative to packaged toothpaste
I got married right after I passed class 10. And soon after I had a baby to look after. I always felt like I had an identity that was associated with other people - my father, husband or child. I had this deep urge to be my own person and have something that was just mine. When I heard from a group of women in my village about Buzz Women’s programmes, I was intrigued by the sense of community and purpose they had developed. I joined the Buzz Green Programme which focused on fostering sustainable climate conscious livelihoods. Through the course I was able to identify some of the causes within climate that resonated with me. Over the years, I had seen how the rise of capitalism had taken people away from some of the natural products, we had grown up consuming. This shift had accompanied a severe reliance on plastic packaging, which further contributed to waste. I wanted to do something to address this and sensitise the people in my district of the harmful effects of products with artificial ingredients and plastic waste. So, I started my own organic tooth powder business. I wanted to create a healthier alternative to packaged toothpaste which was made of natural ingredients and was chemical-free. I also wanted to be mindful that the packaging for the product should not create more waste in the world. Hence, I found locally sourced biodegradable packaging material.
People from five villages now use my tooth powder. My dream is to supply my product across my district and sensitise the consumers of the benefits of making climate conscious choices. Not only have I been able to employ and provide livelihoods to five women through my business, but I have also made an identity for myself. People around me now call me tooth powder Bhagyamma. My entrepreneurship journey has made me a confident and independent changemaker.
Buzz women is a part of ClimateRISE alliance, which is a collaborative platform that aims to accelerate India's journey towards climate resilience for the most vulnerable communities.
