Self-Help Groups of about 10 to 15 rural women under NRLM (Aajeevika), built into Village and Cluster Federations.
25% of enterprises in Kathua are women-owned. 81% of women have their own bank account, close to the typical district. Small business loans in the district run at ₹44,468 per lakh population. NRLM Self Help Groups are the vehicle through which women access credit like this to build livelihoods.
84% of registered enterprises are in services while 16% are in manufacturing. Only 4% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. 70% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Kathua, which ranks 7 of 20 in Jammu and Kashmir for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 53.1 out of 100. The district runs ahead of the national picture on women's freedom of movement at 57.5%, while it lags on women taking part in all major household decisions at 40.4%. On women in the labour force at 45.5%, it sits close to the national mark.