Self-Help Groups of about 10 to 15 rural women under NRLM (Aajeevika), built into Village and Cluster Federations.
28% of enterprises in Barwani are women-owned. 68.1% of women have their own bank account, behind the typical district. Small business loans in the district run at ₹19,156 per lakh population. NRLM Self Help Groups are the vehicle through which women access credit like this to build livelihoods.
82% of registered enterprises are in services while 18% are in manufacturing. Only 4% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. Only 37% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Barwani, which ranks 55 of 55 in Madhya Pradesh for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 38.1 out of 100. The district runs ahead of the national picture on women in the labour force at 69.3%, while it lags on women's freedom of movement at 22% and women taking part in all major household decisions at 54%.