Self-Help Groups of about 10 to 15 rural women under NRLM (Aajeevika), built into Village and Cluster Federations.
9.3% of enterprises in Dhenkanal are women-owned. 88.6% of women have their own bank account, better than the typical district. Small business loans in the district run at ₹41,002 per lakh population. NRLM Self Help Groups are the vehicle through which women access credit like this to build livelihoods.
76% of registered enterprises are in services while 24% are in manufacturing. Only 2% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. 74% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Dhenkanal, which ranks 22 of 30 in Odisha for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 42.7 out of 100. It trails the national picture on women in the labour force at 40.3% and women's freedom of movement at 17.7%. On women taking part in all major household decisions at 72.8%, it sits close to the national mark.