AkzoNobel’s Indradhanush Initiative Empowers Rural Women, Promotes Inclusive Future

This International Women’s Day, AkzoNobel India is celebrating the success of its ‘Indradhanush’ initiative, which has empowered over 3,100 rural women in seven states across India. The program has created a sustainable livelihood-driven ecosystem, challenging traditional gender stereotypes in the male-dominated decorative painting industry.

In under four years, AkzoNobel’s social initiative has trained over 2,100 women as professional painters, while another 1,000 women have become successful paint-preneurs. The initiative has expanded to nearly 940 villages across India, promoting financial independence and vocational skills among rural women.

Rohit Totla, Executive Director of AkzoNobel India, said, “We believe that communities flourish when women thrive. Project Indradhanush has harnessed the untapped potential of rural women, introducing them to opportunities in the paint industry and providing necessary resources for their success.”

The initiative has transformed the lives of thousands of women, including Avanti Bai Dhakad, a seasonal agricultural laborer from Madhya Pradesh, who found a stable income and newfound confidence through decorative painting.

AkzoNobel’s Indradhanush initiative has expanded to several districts across Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Haryana, promoting a more inclusive and empowered future for rural women.