TLDR: The National Commission for Women (NCW) has launched the ‘Yashoda AI Abhiyan’, a pioneering nationwide initiative to equip women, particularly from rural and semi-urban areas, with crucial skills in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Digital Safety. This program aims to foster digital literacy, independence, and empower women to contribute to a technologically advanced India.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has initiated a landmark program, the ‘Yashoda AI Abhiyan: Your AI SAKHI’, marking India’s first national drive dedicated to enhancing AI literacy and digital awareness among women. Launched on May 22, 2025, at Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University, Bareilly, this initiative is specifically designed to empower women, especially those residing in rural and semi-urban communities, with essential skills in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Digital Safety.
The Abhiyan’s core objective extends beyond mere technological instruction; it aims to ignite confidence and enable informed choices, thereby empowering every woman to shape a secure and inclusive digital future. NCW Chairperson Smt. Vijaya Rahatkar emphasized this vision, stating, “True change begins when a woman masters the tools of the future. Yashoda AI Abhiyan is not just about learning technology, it is about igniting confidence, enabling informed choices, and empowering every woman to shape a secure and inclusive digital tomorrow.” This aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s broader goal of women-led growth and a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) driven by technology and inclusion.
The program distinguishes itself by moving beyond conventional training methodologies. It incorporates in-depth discussions on critical contemporary issues such as AI-driven crimes, digital privacy, and practical safety strategies. The Yashoda AI Abhiyan actively involves a diverse group of participants, including students, educators, and women from the police force, setting a new benchmark for community-driven digital education. This ensures that women are not just passive participants but active leaders in shaping India’s tech-savvy future.
In a collaborative effort, the NCW has partnered with Future Shift Labs (FSL) for this initiative. Nitin Narang, Founder of FSL, highlighted the campaign’s expansive scope, stating, “This is not just about AI literacy, it is about inclusion, dignity, and digital empowerment for India’s women—key pillars for building a Viksit Bharat.” The NCW’s commitment to protecting women’s rights in digital spaces is further reinforced by this campaign, which is a natural extension of its ongoing work in cyber awareness, gender justice, and women-led safety innovations.
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Since its inception in May 2025, the ‘Yashoda AI’ literacy program has already imparted training to approximately 2500 women from rural and semi-urban locations. This includes members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), local elected representatives, ASHA workers, micro-entrepreneurs, faculty, students, police officers, and government officials. This significant outreach underscores India’s dedication to inclusive digital empowerment and its proactive stance towards AI leadership, building on its participation in the Global Summit on AI Governance in Paris.
