Self-Help Groups of about 10 to 15 rural women under NRLM (Aajeevika), built into Village and Cluster Federations.
19.2% of enterprises in Dantewada are women-owned. 77.6% of women have their own bank account, close to the typical district. Small business loans in the district run at ₹8,465 per lakh population. NRLM Self Help Groups are the vehicle through which women access credit like this to build livelihoods.
80% of registered enterprises are in services while 20% are in manufacturing. Only 3% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. Only 59% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Dantewada, which ranks 3 of 33 in Chhattisgarh for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 50.2 out of 100. It runs ahead of the national picture on women in the labour force at 66.9%, women's freedom of movement at 64.4% and women taking part in all major household decisions at 81.6%.