Self-Help Groups of about 10 to 15 rural women under NRLM (Aajeevika), built into Village and Cluster Federations.
14.8% of enterprises in Kulgam are women-owned. 78.8% of women have their own bank account, close to the typical district. Small business loans in the district run at ₹45,592 per lakh population. NRLM Self Help Groups are the vehicle through which women access credit like this to build livelihoods.
77% of registered enterprises are in services while 23% are in manufacturing. Only 1% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. Only 53% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Kulgam, which ranks 13 of 20 in Jammu and Kashmir for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 50.8 out of 100. The district runs ahead of the national picture on women in the labour force at 69.1% and women's freedom of movement at 47.8%, while it lags on women taking part in all major household decisions at 57.4%.