Self-Help Groups of about 10 to 15 rural women under NRLM (Aajeevika), built into Village and Cluster Federations.
21% of enterprises in Ashoknagar are women-owned. 78.1% of women have their own bank account, close to the typical district. Small business loans in the district run at ₹15,194 per lakh population. NRLM Self Help Groups are the vehicle through which women access credit like this to build livelihoods.
71% of registered enterprises are in services while 29% are in manufacturing. Only 3% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. Only 53% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Ashoknagar, which ranks 50 of 55 in Madhya Pradesh for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 40.6 out of 100. It trails the national picture on women's freedom of movement at 17.9%. On women in the labour force at 50.5% and women taking part in all major household decisions at 75.3%, it sits close to the national mark.