App-based gig platform exclusively for women launched

SITHA – Women-Exclusive Gig Platform

1. Context and Background

The SITHA app is a mobile app-based gig platform launched on 10 June 2025 in Hyderabad by D. Sridhar Babu, the Minister for Industries and IT, Telangana. The platform is designed exclusively for women to empower them through flexible, skill-based earning opportunities, enabling financial independence while balancing career and family commitments. It represents a significant step in promoting women’s economic participation in India.

2. Objectives of the SITHA App

The primary objectives of SITHA include:

Providing flexible earning opportunities for women across various sectors.
Creating a dignified and secure work ecosystem that values women’s skills and passions.
Facilitating financial independence for women while accommodating family or personal commitments.
Offering access to national and international markets, particularly for rural women and artisans.

3. Features and Functionality

The app serves as a trusted gateway to women-led services and products. Key features include:

Verified home services, community-based gigs, digital consulting, and artisanal products.
AI-powered gig matching for skill-based opportunity allocation.
Secure payment systems and structured onboarding for users.
Support for both technical and non-technical domains, such as teaching, legal consulting, wellness, travel services, and digital gigs.
Platforms to showcase products and services to national and international audiences.

4. Stakeholders

The key stakeholders of SITHA include:

Government: Telangana Industries & IT Ministry for policy support.
Founder: Swathi Nelabhatla, responsible for platform development.
End Users: Women seeking flexible employment, rural artisans, and professionals.
Market: Local, national, and international customers seeking women-led services and products.

5. Significance

SITHA holds significance in multiple dimensions:

Women Empowerment: Enhances financial independence and reduces dependence.
Gig Economy Development: Encourages flexible work opportunities in the organized and informal sectors.
Skill Utilization: Leverages women’s technical, professional, and artisanal skills.
Digital Inclusion: Provides access to technology and online marketplaces.
Social Equity: Reduces barriers caused by rigid work formats, career gaps, or personal commitments.
Economic Growth: Supports entrepreneurship and women-led microenterprises.

6. Key Takeaways

SITHA exemplifies how technology can be harnessed for social and economic empowerment, particularly for women. It combines AI, secure digital platforms, and flexible work ecosystems to unlock opportunities, foster entrepreneurship, and promote financial independence. This initiative aligns with broader government objectives of gender equality, digital inclusion, and economic participation for underrepresented groups.

Updated - June 10, 2025 09:30 pm | The Hindu