Bihar’s Jeevika program (Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project) continues to lead in women’s empowerment, and recent initiatives have positioned Jeevika Didis (women from Self-Help Groups) as key digital facilitators in rural areas. These community leaders are being trained to assist villagers with e-registration for government services, spread awareness about schemes, and bridge the digital divide. This move enhances access to entitlements like health cards, pensions, and livelihoods support while creating additional income opportunities for Didis.
What Does the Role Involve?
- E-Registration Assistance: Helping villagers register online for schemes (Aadhaar updates, caste/income certificates, marriage registration, PM Kisan, Ayushman Bharat, etc.).
- Awareness Campaigns: Educating communities on digital literacy, banking, and government portals.
- Community Support: Acting as local points for grievance redressal and scheme enrollment.
- Training & Tools: Didis receive smartphones/tablets, training from Jeevika staff, and incentives for successful registrations.
This builds on Jeevika’s success with over 1.35 crore women in SHGs, driving Rs 1 lakh crore in transactions (99.5% repayment rate as of mid-2025).
Impact on Rural Bihar
- Faster Service Delivery: Reduces trips to block offices; direct benefits to remote villages.
- Women Empowerment: Didis gain skills, confidence, and extra earnings (incentives + respect).
- Digital Inclusion: Targets low-literacy areas, promoting cashless transactions and online schemes.
- Scale: Active in all 534 blocks; thousands of Didis already facilitating services like PDS management and nutrition drives.
Recent examples include Didi Ki Rasoi expansion and integration with e-commerce for producer companies – showing Jeevika’s multi-faceted digital push.
This initiative aligns with national goals like Digital India and strengthens grassroots governance.
Jeevika Didis are true change-makers! If you’re from Bihar, have you seen this in your village? Share in comments!