Self-Help Groups of about 10 to 15 rural women under NRLM (Aajeevika), built into Village and Cluster Federations.
36% of enterprises in Dharwad are women-owned. 90.1% of women have their own bank account, better than the typical district. Small business loans in the district run at ₹64,623 per lakh population. NRLM Self Help Groups are the vehicle through which women access credit like this to build livelihoods.
78% of registered enterprises are in services while 22% are in manufacturing. Only 6% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. 91% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Dharwad, which ranks 8 of 31 in Karnataka for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 51.4 out of 100. It trails the national picture on women in the labour force at 38% and women's freedom of movement at 24.1%. On women taking part in all major household decisions at 71.7%, it sits close to the national mark.