WOMEN AS AN ENTREPRENEUR




(By Lakshya Dharamdasani)

 Talking about common perception of people on women, Women are generally perceived as home makers with little to do with economy or commerce. But perhaps this picture is changing because more and more women are taking up entrepreneurship as their way of being successful. There were times when women searched for their pride and dignity among huge crowd of people. But the groundbreaking talent and efforts of women have given them there place in male-dominating society. The Planning commission now as well as the Indian government recognizes the need for women to be part of the mainstream of economic development. Women entrepreneurship is seen as an effective strategy to solve the problems of rural and urban poverty.

Traditionally, women in India have been generally found in low productive sectors such as agriculture and household activities. Human Development Report 2004 ranks India 103 in Gender related Development Index (GDI). As per 2001 census; women constitute nearly half of India’s population. Out of this total, 72% were engaged in agriculture, 21.7% in other non agricultural pursuits with only 6.3% in household industries. There continues to be a perception that women can only set up businesses that have to do with designing, fashion or something on the creative side. But now this somehow is getting proved to be wrong. With the changing trend women across India are showing an interest to be economically independent. Women are coming forth to the business arena with ideas to start small and medium enterprises. 

Setting up your own business is like giving birth to a child. It requires just as much attention and as many sleepless nights. I've always thought of my business as my first child," Dixit said. Bhagyashri Dixit who took the plunge and set up her own graphic T-shirt brand to fulfill a lifelong dream of setting up her own enterprise. Dixit is among a growing number of women entrepreneurs in the country.

Even the opinion of gender has also been changed when it comes to support women in any of the profession.Likewise, Anant Sardeshmukh, director general of the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA) that has a special cell for women entrepreneurs, said the survey's findings weren't surprising. "The business environment for women entrepreneurs has changed substantially in India. There is a lot of potential and there is government support as well," he said.

Hence, the myth that women cannot engage in productive employment needs to be dispelled. They can be encouraged to set up small and medium scale industries on their own initiative. Entrepreneurship development for women is an important factor in economic development of India. So in order to make India a gender equality place the indivisual along with the government must evolve appropriate policies to help women entrepreneurs. Adequate entrepreneurship awareness training should be provided using the help of local NGOs. Credit facilities must be made available and marketing help must be provided to foster a culture of entrepreneurship among women in India.

So just remembering a common but effective quote-“There is no tool for development more effective than women’s empowerment” let’s make women rise in this world.