What is the name of your organization?
Myna Mahila Foundation
What is the name of your solution?
RANI - Work for Women with AI
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
We offer livelihood opportunities through the RANI platform, designing work that works for women, leveraging AI technology and hyper-localization
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
India
What type of organization is your solution team?
Nonprofit
Film your elevator pitch.
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What specific problem are you solving?
As of 2023, India's female labour force participation rate is 165th out of 187 countries, according to the World Bank. The job market often overlooks women at the lower economic spectrum, with platforms connecting employers and employees neglecting literacy, aspirations, and access to technology. This results in many women ending up in low-dignity, service-based jobs.
Multiple factors contribute to this disparity:
1. Declining Female LFPR : Women's labour force participation rate (LFPR) in India is 23%, compared to 74% for men and a global average of 47% (PLFS 2022-23).
2. Rural vs. Urban Disparities : About 70% of non-working women in urban slums face limitations from restrictive gender norms (Goel, 2023), with urban women's LFPR at 23.8% for 2021-22, lower than in rural areas.
3. Youth Unemployment : Data from CMIE reveals that one in four urban women aged 15-29 wants to work but is unable to find employment.
4. Gender Gap : A World Bank study highlights a digital skills gender gap: 55% of female gig workers see their importance versus 70% of males. Over 50% of young men (18-25) are employed, compared to just 25% of young women.
Social norms, limited education, lack of access to training also impede women's job opportunities.
What is your solution?
Our RANI platform combines technology with community-based solutions to create livelihood opportunities, particularly for women. We aim to help women overcome barriers such as domestic responsibilities, travel limitations, and the lack of flexible options in developing countries by leveraging AI technology and hyper-localization. Our model is built on three key pillars:
Help: We expand access to flexible, nearby, or remote work by sourcing job opportunities from platforms such as Upwork, MTurk, Apna, and Naukri. We work with employers to reshape jobs to better meet the needs of women.
Empower: We provide localized tech solutions, including WhatsApp access to job listings and the Myna Bolo chatbot, which operates in local dialects to facilitate job searches. We focus on meeting the specific needs of women, including location, flexibility, safety, and childcare.
Retain: We offer advisory services, upskilling, and logistical support through AIAI-assisted job counsellors in online counselling sessions. This approach enhances job matches, retention rates, pay, and market insights. Our training emphasizes three areas: (1) introducing women to AI and technology, (2) improving communication skills for professional settings, and (3) developing domain-specific skills, such as diagnostic abilities for healthcare roles.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Our solution focuses on women from low-income urban communities in India, primarily those aged 18-40, including married, homebound, and economically disadvantaged individuals. These women face restricted mobility, low digital literacy, and financial dependency, which limits their access to education, employment, and digital resources in a male-dominated labour market. Despite their interest in contributing economically, they lack access to digital tools, training, and job opportunities.
This group represents an untapped potential workforce in India, where women's labour force participation is only 23%, significantly below the global average. Empowering these women enhances their economic opportunities and benefits their families and communities.
Our solution meets their needs by offering accessible, culturally relevant training in digital literacy, AI skills, and job readiness. With flexible learning options—both in-person and online—we accommodate mobility constraints, equipping them with tools and confidence to engage in the digital economy, promoting economic independence and social equity.
In the next 12-18 months, RANI aims to train 5,000 women in flexible job opportunities using AI-driven matching and upskilling. We expect 70% to complete training, 50% to gain paid microtask experience, and 20% to find employment, boosting household incomes by 20%. AI-assisted counsellors will help maintain a 50% retention rate in the program.
