Women impact the world at all levels – as farmers, workers, consumers, household managers, activists, leaders, and entrepreneurs. They have been making significant contributions in several fields such as agricultural labor force, health care, entertainment, and the cosmetics industry. Women are responsible for half of the world’s food production and improving women’s health leads to better well-being for entire families, especially children. In governance, women are more likely to ratify international environmental treaties and have inclusive climate policies.
“International Women’s Day” is an opportunity to rejoice in the progress made towards achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment, but also to critically reflect on those accomplishments and strive for greater momentum. This day commemorates the beauty, diversity, and achievements of women all across the world. The theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 is “Accelerate Action”. This year’s campaign emphasises the urgency and importance of accelerating efforts to eliminate systemic barriers and biases that impede women’s equality. CSR Times celebrates each and every woman who defies expectations, wind against the grain of male-dominated societies and cultures, and rightfully claims the recognition she merits.
This International Women’s Day 2025, we bring you insights from industry leaders shaping a more inclusive and empowered future for women everywhere.
“Our diverse projects at Himalaya Wellness Company have enabled women at the grassroots level to grow strong and attain economic independence. Project SURAKSHA, a suicide prevention and mass awareness initiative by Himalaya has equipped thousands of women, including ASHA workers, with tools and techniques to promote mental health and wellness. Our tree-planting initiative in the rural hinterlands of India supports women farmers with different species of fruits and vegetable-bearing plants as well as fodder-providing varieties, thereby helping them towards economic upliftment. Our Social Goals at Himalaya are crafted to accelerate action towards a more inclusive and equitable future.”
“Empowering women through CSR isn’t just about inclusion—it’s about creating real, lasting change. Equitable business practices, from fair wages to leadership opportunities, help women thrive. Community-driven initiatives like education, skills training, and maternal health programs foster long-term progress. By embedding gender-inclusive policies into CSR, businesses can build diverse workplaces, support women entrepreneurs, and enhance economic participation. When companies champion gender equity, they strengthen communities and drive sustainable growth. CSR turns commitment into action, ensuring a future where opportunities are accessible to all—because when women succeed, societies prosper”.
“CSR has the power to transform lives by accelerating women’s empowerment. While government policies and private investments have driven progress on gender inclusion across the board, women continue to face barriers, especially around economic and political participation, capital access, asset ownership, and leadership opportunities. By integrating a gender lens into CSR strategies —whether through skilling programmes, enterprise support, improving financial and digital inclusion, leadership pipelines, or fostering safe workplaces—companies can drive meaningful change and close persistent gender gaps. Investing in women and girls is not just a social imperative but also critical for sustained growth and progress. To truly drive meaningful change, businesses must ensure their CSR efforts create lasting, equitable opportunities for women across India.”
“At Ashirvad by Aliaxis, we believe true progress happens when communities thrive. This International Women’s Day, we reaffirm our commitment to accelerating gender equality through skill development and empowerment. Through our initiatives like the Ashirvad Plumbing School, we equip women with essential plumbing and water management skills, enabling them to build independent careers. This initiative has trained and certified women, providing hands-on learning, tools, safety materials, and government-backed certification. Beyond technical skills, it empowers women towards financial independence , support their families, and shape their futures. True progress happens when opportunities are inclusive, and we are proud to support a future where women are not just participants but leaders in shaping India’s infrastructure and economy.”
“Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) plays a crucial role in empowering women by fostering economic and financial independence, supporting skill development, and ensuring better healthcare access. Businesses must and should give priority to gender inclusivity by supporting women-led initiatives and providing financial resources and investing mostly in women’s health and safety. By aligning CSR with policies promoting women’s participation in the workforce and financial security will further allow businesses to create a more equitable and sustainable future for women in India”.
“Project Samika is transforming lives by providing women from economically disadvantaged communities in India with the skills, opportunities, and support they need to thrive in the workforce. Launched in partnership with SETU almost three years ago, this CSR initiative equips women with IT, tech, and data annotation skills, integrating them into TELUS Digital’s customer experience teams. Through mentorship and career development, Project Samika empowers women to build a brighter future while strengthening our organization with a highly skilled, engaged workforce. It’s a powerful example of how corporate social responsibility can create lasting, positive change, benefiting both individuals and businesses alike”.
“Rooftop solar is more than just a renewable energy solution—it’s a pathway to economic and social progress. Businesses that adopt solar power reduce costs, achieve energy independence, and enhance sustainability. For communities, it means access to reliable power, new job opportunities, and a cleaner environment. Investing in rooftop solar transforms underutilized spaces into sources of energy and impact. By making solar power more accessible, businesses drive long-term benefits, strengthening both the economy and society. The future of energy is decentralized, sustainable, and inclusive—rooftop solar is leading the way”.
“As a company committed to sustainable growth and social responsibility, Greenlam Industries firmly believes that empowering women is key to building stronger communities. Through our CSR initiatives, we actively support skill development, education, and healthcare programs that create meaningful opportunities for women, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Our efforts include capacity-building workshops, digital literacy training, and healthcare awareness programs aimed at improving maternal and child health. By fostering leadership, promoting education, and ensuring access to essential resources, we strive to create an environment where women can thrive both professionally and personally. True progress is built on inclusivity, and our commitment remains steadfast in driving positive change that enables women to shape a brighter future for themselves and society.”
“At vivo India, we firmly believe that talent should never be constrained by financial or societal limitations. True progress is achieved when opportunities are equitable and accessible to all. Through our initiative, vivo KanyaGyaan, we are committed to empowering young Indian women to pursue careers in STEM. It aligns with this year’s International Women’s Day theme, ‘Accelerate Action,’ reinforcing our commitment to fostering a supportive environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. This initiative has already made a meaningful impact on the lives of over 150 young women, enabling them to overcome barriers and realize their aspirations – with over 60% coming from families earning less than ₹1 lakh annually, and 15% being raised by single parents. Notably, for 56% of them, this initiative has enabled them to become first-generation graduates”.
“CSR is not charity, it is accountability. Gender equity isn’t about helping women, it is about dismantling the systems that hold them back. Businesses must not support change but drive it instead.”
“CSR investment for women’s empowerment is still far from ideal! Coupled with the new wave of geopolitical shift makes it even tougher. Corporates must step up, making gender-lens investing a priority across the different causes they support – WASH, skill development, infrastructure development, climate resilience or any other. We must deliberately ensure that women are an integral part of the communities they wish to impact! Corporate giving has the power to drive real change, ensuring women are at the center of investments, not an afterthought. Further affirmative action by way of ensuring procurement from women led organisations and special accommodation for women employees extend beyond the CSR mandate to create a larger impact!”
“Women empowerment is essential for societal progress, and we at Birlasoft firmly believe in the same. We believe that by empowering a woman, you empower the entire family and put them on the path to economic progress. By investing in education, skill development, and health of underprivileged women and girls, organizations can create a more inclusive and dynamic future for women to thrive and build meaningful careers. Empowering underprivileged women through good health and education is a very important theme of Birlasoft’s CSR program. This commitment is evident through our numerous impactful initiatives. In FY24, Project Disha empowered 1,100+ women with mentorship and corporate exposure, while Project e-Vidya trained 170+ women in digital literacy and IT skills. In FY23, we partnered with the Rajasthan government to raise awareness and provide cervical cancer screenings. These initiatives not only enable growth but also unlock potential, paving the way for a future where diversity and inclusion fuel innovation and sustainable progress.”
“Women’s empowerment through CSR is not just about support—it’s about creating real opportunities for growth and independence. When businesses invest in education, skills, and leadership for women, they don’t just change individual lives; they drive lasting social and economic progress. At Dignity Education Vision International (DEVI Sansthan), we are making education truly inclusive through ALfA, a breakthrough learning method. In partnership with Balaji IIMPACT, we have helped 9,000 mothers across four states in India become literate, proving that when women learn, families and communities thrive. CSR can further drive change by funding scalable literacy programs, creating safe workplaces, supporting women entrepreneurs, and ensuring equal opportunities at all levels.”
“Women now are looking for a new push forward. We at Newgen CSR are contributing to this acceleration at the grass-root level. The Newgen CSR’s Skill Development Centre is providing skill training, digital literacy and financial literacy to open income generating opportunities for the women. Mental health sessions help them find a balance in managing their emotions. Today, Newgen CSR celebrates Women’s Day by commemorating the achievements of these women”.
