Women Entrepreneurship in India : Challenges and Prospects

Abstract

This paper aims to throw light on the status of women entrepreneurs in India, the difficulties and challenges faced by them and also provides insight into the suggestions to overcome these hurdles. Women‘s lot and their position have remained neglected. Their share in entrepreneurs and trade is very low. Women entrepreneurs, not common to India face tough competition in this male dominated field. Women entrepreneurship is essentially a journey out of poverty and towards equality. Educated women do not want to limit their lives only to the household drudgeries. By their contribution they want to improve the standard of living of their families and to be the decision makers. However Indian women have to go a long way to achieve this position because traditions are deep rooted in Indian society. Entrepreneurship is a key element of growth and development prospects for all countries and it is most important for transition countries. The specific role of women in the economic effort has not been clearly defined but the need for “integration of women into development” is being particularly felt by women themselves. With the increase in the number of educated women, there is considerable awareness among women to be self employed and gradually the role of women is changing in the society. In this direction government and NGOs have emerged as a major support by way of providing training incentives and other facilities to succeed.