The celebration of International Women’s Day is all about taking a step forward toward progress and success. However, some questions still arise—do we truly consider gender equality from every perspective? Are we really in a position to see all genders on an equal platform? We believe there are still gaps across the world. The time for merely identifying these gaps has passed; now is the time to construct bridges over them. As we celebrated International Women’s Day this year with the UN theme—”For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”—we took an oath to think and act accordingly. A theory is not just a collection of literature; rather, understanding its deeper meaning and applying it to real life is what truly matters. When we talk about rights, it means rights across every platform. Rights should not be confined to legal frameworks alone; making them accessible and flexible is essential. Similarly, equality must be deeply felt before it can be effectively implemented. Before changing the system, it is crucial to change our thought process. This transformation naturally creates a platform not just for thinking but for decision-making as well. Only through this approach can education, health, and empowerment progress on an equal footing.

At GRAAM, our motto is to ensure that the voices of grassroots communities are significantly accounted for in the process of development. This continuous process aligns with identifying gaps, envisioning solutions, and taking action accordingly. In line with the theme of International Women’s Day, we aimed to amplify the impact of one of our key initiatives—We MILL. This pioneering project is dedicated to empowering rural women, facilitating sustainable livelihood opportunities, and fostering a model for ‘Rural Wealth Creation’, where every woman’s potential becomes the seed of prosperity. Designed and implemented by the Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement (GRAAM) with CSR support from Wurth Elektronik, this initiative continues to make a lasting impact by enhancing economic opportunities for women in rural communities, ensuring a brighter and more prosperous future for generations to come.

We Mill is a social business initiative led by a group of 14 first-generation rural women social entrepreneurs from Bilikere Village, Mysore. The ragi and millet-based products, crafted by the rural mothers of India, are made with the motto “Health First, Business Next.” With technology and capacity development support from CFTRI, We Mill aims to develop a ‘rural wealth creation model’ in line with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, strengthening the rural economy. The team actively works on developing ragi-based products, capacity building, marketing, and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among women. We Mill stands at the intersection of health, empowerment, and rural development, striving to create a better future for all involved. Its vision is to be a pioneering force in bridging the gap between conscious consumption and social impact, demonstrating that every meal can be a catalyst for positive change.

At We Mill, our mission is to create a sustainable and inclusive ecosystem that empowers first-generation rural women social entrepreneurs while promoting health and nutrition through the use of locally sourced raw materials, particularly millets. We are dedicated to strengthening the rural economy by supporting local farmers by sourcing raw materials and encouraging self-reliance among the mothers of Bilikere village and similar communities. We Mill is committed to empowering rural women, particularly from BPL families, by providing sustainable livelihood opportunities that help eradicate poverty and ensure a decent quality of life. It focuses on developing and promoting millet-based food products, creating effective marketing channels and value chains, and fostering sustainable agricultural practices that benefit local farmers while contributing to the Millet Mission. Additionally, it enhances nutritional well-being, especially for children and women, by increasing access to nutritious food. We Mill also builds a replicable women-led social enterprise model that promotes empowerment, community development, and environmental sustainability. This initiative has successfully taken Bilikere’s ragi from local fields to the national marketplace. The project’s value-added products are now available on various online platforms, including Amazon, Jeeva Organics, Simplesoul, Kreate, Sambastore, Briclay’s, Annapakshi, FidAtO Agro (Chennai), Big Basket, Milletzkart, Shophealthy, Walmart, and via WhatsApp (9901981900). These products are also widely stocked across Mysuru and Bengaluru, reaching over 145 stores, supermarkets, organic shops, and hospitals.

We Mill has forged key partnerships with Sodexo and Hunger Box, ensuring its products reach corporate campuses like Wipro, TCS, CGI, BPL, Accenture, and Shanthi Niketan through regular pop-ups. Committed to maintaining quality and standards, We Mill holds registrations with several prestigious organizations, including the Quality Council of India (QCI), NITI Aayog Women Entrepreneurship Portal (WEP), MSME Global Emart, MSME Data Bank Portal (Ministry of MSME, Government of India), Government e-Marketplace (GeM), and TRIFED. We Mill is also in the process of obtaining MSME Silver Certification. Adding to its achievements, WeMill, the Rural Women Entrepreneurship Project by GRAAM, was honored with the Tally MSME Honours 2023, hosted by Tally Solutions in Bengaluru.
It is time to recognize that meaningful change demands dual action—understanding the gap is only the first step; the next is actively working to bridge it. This is where thought must translate into action, and GRAAM exemplifies this approach. What started as an idea has now taken root on the ground. We Mill is expanding its reach across the country with its ragi- and millet-based products, encouraging society to take concrete steps toward women’s empowerment. If we commit to both immediate and sustainable development efforts, there will be no barrier to a future where women’s rights, equality, and empowerment shine brighter than ever.