Centre launches 'E-haat' to promote women entrepreneurs

New Delhi: Seeking to promote women entrepreneurs, particularly from rural parts of the country, government on Monday launched a first-of-its-kind website that would offer them a platform to sell their products.

'Mahila E-Haat' is an online platform from the Women and Child Development Ministry, where women entrepreneurs can sell their products directly and without having to bear any cost.

"It is generally not possible for rural women to go to far-off places to sell products made by them. Therefore, we decided to help them in selling their products. The product can include clothing, organic products or toys. The website is completely new and is being done for the first time by any ministry," Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said at the launch on the eve of International Women's Day.

"Through the website, we put buyers and sellers together. We do not take any fee. Anybody who wants to sell something can go to e-haat and put their product in," she said.

The entire business of e-haat can be handled through a mobile and no commission will be taken from the seller or buyer. The website also provides for customised orders.

"The ministry is now working with National Mission of Employment under the Ministry of Rural Development to help such ventures. To take this initiative forward it is very important that we make use of technology and provide for women to sell their products by women and women enterprises," WCD Secretary V Somasundaram said.

For registering on the website, the women entrepreneurs will have to submit information online or by email/letter in the required format. The moderators will then select the products to be displayed and inform vendors. The sellers can also do the pricing of the products using their own discretion.

"Currently women have to go through a lot of intermediaries. Through this initiative, a major portion of the profit will go to them directly which will boost their confidence," the Secretary said.

'Mahila E-Haat' is an online platform from the Women and Child Development Ministry, where women entrepreneurs can sell their products directly and without having to bear any cost.