Haryana has launched a digital literacy program on June 16, 2025, targeting rural women to bridge the digital divide. The initiative, under the Digital India campaign, aims to train 50,000 women across 22 districts in basic digital skills, internet usage, and online safety. Implemented through Anganwadi centers, it seeks to empower women for entrepreneurship and access to government services.
Haryana’s Bold Step to Empower Rural Women with Digital Skills
On June 16, 2025, the Haryana government rolled out an ambitious digital literacy program aimed at empowering rural women, aligning with the broader vision of Digital India. Launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development and local NGOs, the initiative targets 50,000 women across the state’s 22 districts, focusing on imparting essential digital skills to enhance their socio-economic opportunities.
The program, inaugurated by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini in Gurugram, is designed to address the stark gender gap in digital access, particularly in rural areas. According to the Comprehensive Modular Survey: Telecom 2025 (CMST 2025), rural women in India face a 24-percentage-point gap in mobile phone ownership compared to urban women, with Haryana reflecting similar trends. This initiative seeks to equip women with skills to use smartphones, access the internet, and navigate digital platforms for education, entrepreneurship, and government services.
Training will be conducted through 5,000 Anganwadi centers, reimagined as digitally empowered community hubs. These centers, already integral to rural welfare, will host workshops on basic digital literacy, including using mobile apps, online banking, and e-governance portals like e-Seva. The curriculum also emphasizes online safety, teaching women to recognize cyber threats and protect personal data, a critical need highlighted by the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s recent description of cybercrime as a “silent virus” threatening Digital Bharat.
The state has partnered with tech firms and NGOs like HelpAge India to develop tailored training modules. Each participant will receive a certificate upon completion, and top performers will gain access to advanced courses in digital marketing and e-commerce. The initiative also includes provisions for subsidized smartphones and internet connectivity for eligible women, funded through the state’s rural development budget.
Officials estimate that the program will directly impact rural economies by enabling women to engage in online entrepreneurship, such as selling handicrafts or accessing agricultural market data. “This is about empowerment through inclusion,” said Saini during the launch. “Our rural women will not just consume digital services but contribute to India’s digital economy.”
The program’s rollout follows successful pilots in districts like Karnal and Hisar, where 2,000 women were trained in 2024, with 60% reporting improved access to government schemes. The state aims to scale this model, integrating it with existing schemes like Poshan Bhi, Padhai Bhi, which supports digital training for Anganwadi workers.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information from recent reports, government announcements, and web sources covering digital literacy initiatives in India. Data points are sourced from the Comprehensive Modular Survey: Telecom 2025 and news from The Hindu, Times of India, and other outlets. The article reflects the latest available information as of July 5, 2025, and is subject to updates as new details emerge.