Aatapi believes that women’s empowerment isn’t just a catchy slogan; it’s a key factor in the social and economic success of communities and nations. When women succeed, everyone benefits. Women are the real architects of society, but the significant role they play in the shaping of society is rarely acknowledged. Their potential is stifled, they grow up hearing women can’t. Deprived of their due status, they accept this inequality and begin to believe that they are powerless. This need not be so.

Aatapi has facilitated the empowerment of women through the formation of self-help groups. It makes determined efforts to engage with socio-economically marginalised women such as single women and women with disabilities to improve their status and economic independence.  Attending monthly meetings, saving regularly, voicing their opinion, taking decisions on loan allocations, liaising with banks, sharing ideas and experiences with other leaders at cluster levels has opened vistas beyond the boundaries of their homes, They have learnt to negotiate with the external realm — reluctant banks, insensitive panchayat samitis, skeptical families and callous communities.