Self-Help Groups of about 10 to 15 rural women under NRLM (Aajeevika), built into Village and Cluster Federations.
17% of enterprises in Mandla are women-owned. 83.5% of women have their own bank account, close to the typical district. Small business loans in the district run at ₹22,454 per lakh population. NRLM Self Help Groups are the vehicle through which women access credit like this to build livelihoods.
85% of registered enterprises are in services while 15% are in manufacturing. Only 3% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. 61% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Mandla, which ranks 6 of 55 in Madhya Pradesh for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 46.6 out of 100. It runs ahead of the national picture on women in the labour force at 70.5%, women's freedom of movement at 59.5% and women taking part in all major household decisions at 83.7%.