Hindustan Zinc’s Social Initiatives Empower Over 2 Million Girls and Women
Udaipur, October 11 (Udaipur Kiran): Hindustan Zinc is creating new opportunities for girls and women through education, sports and skill development, helping them pursue their ambitions and become financially independent. More than 2 million girls and women have benefited from the company’s social initiatives, with women and girls accounting for nearly 50% of the beneficiaries.
Through programmes focused on education, higher studies, sports and vocational training, the company aims to ensure that girls have not only access to education but also the opportunity to achieve their dreams and shape their own futures.
Education Opens New Career Opportunities
Quality education in rural areas can play a crucial role in shaping a brighter future for girls. Hindustan Zinc’s Shiksha Sambal initiative is strengthening the learning outcomes of more than 47,000 students in government schools. Girls account for nearly 50% of the beneficiaries.
Through science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-based education and improved academic resources, the initiative is helping rural girls develop confidence in technical subjects and explore new career opportunities.
The company’s Unchi Udaan programme supports meritorious students preparing for engineering entrance examinations by providing guidance, coaching and mentorship. Around 350 students have benefited from the programme so far.
Sania Oraon from Haldi village in Uttarakhand is one such example. After studying at a government school, she joined the Unchi Udaan programme and secured admission to the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati for engineering. Despite financial challenges, she is continuing her higher education with Hindustan Zinc’s support and is also receiving a scholarship.
Sonam Ghosh Makes Her Mark in Football
Sonam Ghosh from Arambagh in West Bengal chose to pursue her passion for football. She joined the first residential girls’ programme at Hindustan Zinc’s Zinc Football Academy and worked to develop her sporting abilities.
Over the past year, she has made notable progress and gone on to represent India at the international level. Her journey has become a source of inspiration for other girls aspiring to pursue sports.
At the Zinc Football Academy in Zawar, girls receive opportunities not only in sports but also in education, nutrition, healthcare and overall development. The initiative aims to help them pursue their ambitions while supporting their well-being.
Sakhis Promote Awareness and Women’s Rights
Hindustan Zinc’s community initiative, Sakhi, includes the Uthori Jagriti Kalamanch, which raises awareness about child marriage, gender equality and women’s rights.
The platform works to empower rural women and create an environment where girls can speak up and make decisions about their futures with confidence.
Indra Devi from Mulji Ka Khera village in Rajasthan is an example of this change. She currently serves as secretary of the Sakhi Udaan Samiti and works to raise awareness against child marriage in her community. Her journey reflects a transition from personal struggles to leadership in efforts to bring social change.
Skill Development Supports Financial Independence
Beyond school education, Hindustan Zinc is also working to improve economic opportunities for young people, particularly women. Its Zinc Kaushal initiative provides industry-oriented training to prepare young people for employment and entrepreneurship.
More than 12,000 young people have received training through the initiative, with women accounting for 46% of the trainees. The programme aims to open pathways to jobs, entrepreneurship and global opportunities.
The company’s various social initiatives have reached more than 2.6 million people across over 4,100 villages.
Creating Opportunities for Future Generations
Hindustan Zinc aims to ensure that a girl’s talent is not limited by her geographical location, financial circumstances or social environment.
Across its initiatives, girls are gaining confidence in classrooms, aspiring to enter prestigious institutions, making their mark on sports fields and taking greater control of their futures.
The company’s approach focuses on expanding opportunities for girls and women, recognising that when a girl gets the chance to achieve her ambitions, the impact can extend beyond her own life to her community and future generations.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
