On the occasion of International Women's Day celebrated on 8th March worldwide, ACF saw many women beneficiaries awarded for their exemplary work in bringing transformation to the communities. 

The Chief General Manager of NABARD honored Sarabjeet Kaur, an SHG woman from Bathinda, for her journey on enterprise development. Sarabjeet Kaur from the Satguru SHG Bulladewala is an entrepreneur who started her business in 2019 by providing stitching and binding books. Slowly she expanded her business in selling pickle and in the current pandemic she makes face masks and sells to the municipal corporation. When she started her business she earned a profit of Rs. 8000. Today she earns a profit of more than Rs. 25-30,000 - all thanks to her involvement in being a member of the Self-Help Group.

Handur Self-Help Group in Nalagarh was felicitated by NABARD for its work in making the face masks under the SAANS project. This initiative, by ACF in partnership with Cipla Foundation, has trained women of the Handur Self-Help Group to make 4 layered masks, which are quality checked and approved by the CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad . ACF has facilitated bringing together 10 women from the SHG to produce and market these masks, and capacity building is provided by IICT. Because of this success the SHG is planning to develop a supply chain and maintain a self-sustained platform for earning revenue. 

Amrit Dhara Milk Producers Marketing Co-Operative Society, Darlaghat was honoured as the Best FPO in the region by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Solan for its work in marketing milk, and providing veterinary services in the region. This FPO  was initially started as an SHG with women members, but now also has male members.

NABARD awarded certificates to members of the Sorath Mahila Sahkari Mandali, Kodinar who completed a training program on agarbatti and candle making. This program aims to support them in becoming financially independent. NABARD also selected UJALA Ambuja Self-Help Group as the Best SHG with an award presented by MD, CGM and other officials of NABARD. UJala works on credit linkages and involves women in income generation activities like knitting. 

ACF Chirawa received an award for Best Women Empowerment Work at the District level, which was presented by the District Collector and MLA of the area. ACF also received recognition through the Rajasthan State Level Women Empowerment Award called Mahila Shakti by the Department of Women & Child Development. The award was presented by Cabinet Minister of Women & Child Development congratulating ACF for its work on Women Empowerment in Rajasthan. It was a privilege when one of our staff Manjusha Doshi from Bhatapara received an appreciation certificate from the National Rural Livelihood Mission, Government of Chattisgarh for her efforts on women empowerment through SHGs and Livelihood Promotion.

SEDI Jaitaran also inaugurated their new Make-Up Artist Lab with local women being invited as the guests of honour at the event. The lab provides women with the opportunity to learn the skill of professional make-up and helps them in starting their own business. Women were impressed with the infrastructure and were excited to commence the course. SEDI has also started a Pink Help Desk initiative to provide female trainees with placement opportunity, ensure safety and security at the centre and workplace, and to motivate women to undergo skill training.