FedEx Express (FedEx), a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and a global leader in express transportation, continues its dedication to gender diversity and economic empowerment through the ‘Saksham’ initiative. In partnership with United Way Mumbai (UWM), FedEx has provided Saksham kits to over 110 women entrepreneurs from marginalised communities, aiding them in scaling their businesses.
Since its inception in 2021, thousands of women small business owners have benefited from these kits. Remarkably, 62% of entrepreneurs supported between 2021 and 2023 have reported a significant increase in their income, underscoring the initiative’s transformative impact on livelihoods.
Saksham adopts a comprehensive approach by equipping skilled women small business owners, often constrained by resource limitations, with specialised tool kits. These kits, tailored to the needs of businesses across various sectors such as home-based beauty services, tailoring, homemade products, pedal rickshaws, and more, contain tools to improve product quality, enhance production efficiency, and expand their customer base.
Suvendu Choudhury, Vice President of Operations, India and Customer Experience, MEISA at FedEx, highlighted the initiative’s broader significance, stating, “We at FedEx firmly believe in the transformative power of investing in women’s empowerment. By dismantling barriers to women’s economic participation and supporting over a thousand beneficiaries to date, we contribute to inclusion and drive significant progress toward equitable growth. Embracing diversity and inclusivity is not only a moral imperative but also a foundational element for any country’s development.”
Research by the World Bank suggests that closing gender employment gaps could boost GDP per capita by nearly 20%, underlining the importance of initiatives like Saksham in benefiting communities at large.
George Aikara, Chief Executive Officer, UWM, emphasised the critical role of such initiatives, stating, “When women succeed, communities flourish. However, many women, despite possessing skills, are hindered by a lack of financial resources. The Saksham toolkits have the potential to make a tangible difference by providing essential capital for women entrepreneurs to thrive in their businesses and contribute to economic empowerment. Together with FedEx, we can accelerate progress towards gender equality and economic empowerment for women across India.”
