The National Commission for Women (NCW) has launched Yashoda AI, an initiative aimed at advancing women’s literacy in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and enhancing their digital awareness. The launch event took place at Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University in Bareilly on May 22, 2025. Yashoda AI seeks to empower women, particularly from rural and semi-urban communities, by equipping them with essential skills in AI, cybersecurity, and digital safety.
The program goes beyond conventional learning by hosting detailed discussions on pressing issues such as AI-driven crimes, digital privacy, and practical safety strategies. The Yashoda AI Abhiyan targets active engagement with students, educators, and women in the police force, emphasizing community-driven digital education. The goal is to ensure that women become leaders in shaping India’s technologically adept future.
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar highlighted NCW’s commitment to safeguarding women’s rights in digital environments, noting that this campaign continues NCW’s work in cyber awareness, gender justice, and women-led safety innovations. The campaign will be implemented via schools and colleges, targeting a diverse group of women, including Self-Help Group (SHG) members, ASHA workers, teachers, government employees, and panchayat representatives.
Empowering women through digital literacy
The initiative is designed not only to educate women about technology but also to empower them digitally. Participants in the campaign will receive focused training on AI tools, and instructional materials will be available in local languages. Workshops and practical training sessions will also be a part of the programme.
Women trained under this initiative will become ‘AI Sakhis,’ who are expected to guide their families in the digital age and contribute significantly to the Digital India mission. Speaking at the launch event, NCW Chairperson Smt. Vijaya Rahatkar said, “True change begins when a woman masters the tools of the future.
Yashoda AI Abhiyan is not just about learning technology but igniting confidence, enabling informed choices, and empowering every woman to shape a secure and inclusive digital tomorrow.”
The campaign, a collaboration between NCW and Future Shift Labs (FSL), was further elaborated by Nitin Narang, Founder of FSL, who emphasized that the initiative is about inclusion, dignity, and digital empowerment for India’s women, essential pillars for building a “Viksit Bharat” or developed India. Key speakers at the launch included Sagar Vishnoi, Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University, Co-founder and Director of FSL, and Pranav Dwivedi, Convener of Yashoda AI. Dignitaries from the NCW, including Ramawtar Singh, Shivani Dey, and Santosh Kulkarni, were also present, underscoring the need for equity and representation of women in India’s technological journey.
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