New Delhi June 11 (IANS) The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Monday partnered with hospitality company Airbnb to create livelihood opportunities for women in the northeast region as a step towards their empowerment.
The partnership under NCW s capacity building cell - an initiative to focus on skill development-oriented programmes will be initially started in three states - Meghalaya Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh - on a pilot basis.
According to NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma the state commissions will initially choose 10 women from these three states who will be given training on how to start a homestay get financial assistance from banks generate technology-enabled livelihood opportunities in tourism and hospitality and other skill oriented initiatives.
The trained staffs will later teach other women and their homestays will be featured on the web-page of Airbnb.
"It will also promote digital inclusion and the creation of women-led tourism and hospitality enterprises thereby paving the way for their economic and social empowerment. With this inclusive development we hope to together provide women in the North Eastern States a platform to become micro-entrepreneurs " said Sharma.
Chris Lehane Global Head of Policy Airbnb said: "India s northeast with its immense tourism potential is a priority market for Airbnb and we are very excited about the partnership with the NCW".

--IANS som/mag/vd