In 2006, ICECD broke new grounds by implementing a unique pilot project for the economic rehabilitation of more than 3500 rural widows in the state of Gujarat along with the Women and Child Development Department and Social Security Department Government of Gujarat. The project successfully enabled 90% of these widows to start small businesses/get linked with skilled employment and earn INR 1,500 to INR 25,000 (US $ 30 to 500) per month. This was the first step towards their economic independence. It not only provided a sustained means of livelihood to them, but their renewed confidence led to a positive shift in their social acceptance and status! The project has then been replicated by ICECD and other organizations trained by ICECD, for over 45,000 widows, successfully empowering them, both- socially and economically, between 2006-07 and 2009-10.

The development intervention by ICECD targeted widows belonging to rural poor families/schedule caste/schedule tribes/Muslim community/Christians. More than 65% of these widows were illiterate. The area of special concern was enhancing their competitiveness and developing them as human resources in all spheres, including the economic. This not only resulted in a better social status of these widows, but they became economically independent and their children got better education. Their standard of life improved.

These 13000 widows are from over 22 districts of Gujarat, mainly Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Valsad, Patan, Baroda, Surendranagar, Bharuch, Surat, Anand, Kheda, Navsari, Jamnagar, Panchmahal, Kutchch, Rajkot, Mehsana, Amreli, Banaskantha & Sabarkantha.

These widows, between the age group of 18 – 40 years, are either illiterate or semi literate. Today, they are economically independent and live with self respect in society. Their earning vary between Rs.2000/- to Rs.40,000/- per month.