A LITERATURE REVIEW ON WOMEN EMPOWERMENT THROUGH

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Mr.T.Somasundaram1
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Assistant Professor (Department of Management), Kristu Jayanti College (Autonomous),
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. E-mail id:somasundaram@kristujayanti.com

Abstract: Empowerment of women is essentially the process of upliftment of economic,

social and political status of women and also guarding them against all forms of violence.
Entrepreneurship is the dynamic process of creating wealth and it is created by individuals one
who assume risks in time, equity, career, commitment and to provide value in business.
Entrepreneurship of Women has enhanced their economic status and decision making power.
This value systems lead to development of goods family, good society and good nation.

Keywords: Women Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, Empowerment, Economic development,

Socio – economic status and Self help groups.

Introduction:

This paper is an attempt to critically review the women empowerment and its impact on
women entrepreneurship. In this literature review, it aims to review the theoretical and
methodological contributions to women entrepreneurship through various sources and its
experimental work to understand how women entrepreneurship has developed the economy in
the country.

“Entrepreneurship is a creative process and innovative response in any field of social,

business, agriculture, education and others.” Entrepreneurship is the dynamic process of creating
wealth and it is created by individuals one who assume risks in time, equity, career, commitment
and to provide value in business. In 20 th century, women became more aware of social potentials
hidden by social, economic and political constraints. Economic empowerment leads to women
empowerment.

It is a concept that stimulates the feeling of creating something new or innovative in order
to bring the changes in the economy. The development of entrepreneur is a old phenomenon for
developed countries like U.S, U.K and Canada, where 30% of all small companies are owned by
women and if it is continue to grow, then the percentage will rise to 50%. Entrepreneurship
development is the way to promote self – employment among the educated youth in order to
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sustain economic development. In present scenario, new generation entrepreneurs have been
welcomed to carry out radical and tremendous changes in the business sector. He is a innovator,
one who accepts risk or failure and takes initiative to organize and re – organize social and
economic mechanism.

Women empowerment refers to empowering women to be self – dependent by providing

them access to all freedom and opportunities.

Women empowerment refers to increasing the spiritual, political, social, educational,

gender or economic strength of individuals and communities of women. Empowerment of
women is essentially the process of upliftment of economic, social and political status of women
and also guarding them against all forms of violence. Since women constitute almost 50% of
world’s population, women empowerment involves building up of society and political
environment in order to breathe without fear of oppression, exploitation, discrimination, etc.

Empowerment of women has five components – i) sense of self – worth, ii) right to have
and to determine choices, iii) right to have access to opportunities and resource, iv) right to have
power to control their own lives, v) ability to influence direction of social change. Women
entrepreneur feels difficult in reaching her goal in business, but his empowerment basically
depends on gaining more strength in financial, social and cultural aspects.

Literature Review:

Empowerment of women involves many things such as economic opportunity, social

equality and personal right. Without freedom to work and earn a good income the goal of
empowerment is difficult (Grishma M. Khobragade 2013). Therefore women empowerment
through entrepreneurship is an important tool for socio-economic development. This can be
achieved when the society recognizes women as one among the social partner, provides them
equal right, facilitates them with equal education, health and allows them to participate equally
and effectively (Rathindra Nath, et al. 2006). Thus supporting women to earn income through
self employment or entrepreneurship is an important tool of empowerment. (Anita Chaudhary
2012).
Women are very important segment in development at local to global levels. Their role in
work productivity, employment generation and income oriented activities are hindered by many

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socio-economic constraints (Babita Agrawal, et al. 2007). Thus mobilizing the potential
productivity of rural people and particularly of women is indispensible to achieve the resilient
economic growth that will pull people above the poverty line (Mukesh Upadhyay 2011,
Sanjeeb K. Jena 2013).
According to Tinku Paul Bhatnagar (2011) initially presence of women was more in
agriculture, forestry, fishing, plantation and allied activities. But now there is a shift in work as
the seasonality of work becomes more vulnerable, women’s are started working in predominant
industries like garment textiles, food and electronics. It was observed that with growing
awareness and spread of education over years, women started getting engaged in new activities
from traditional business to manufacturing business. (Shah Kavita and Todi Meha, 2012).
Dr. Rana Zehra Masood (2011) in his study on “Emergence of women owned
businesses in India-an insight” revealed that, India is a male dominated society and women are
assumed to be economically as well as socially dependent on male members. The absolute
dependence seems to be diluted among the high hand middle class women as they are becoming
more aware of personal needs and demanding greater equality.
H.Subrahmanyan (2011) defines the term empower means, to give lawful power or
authority to act and it is process of acquiring some activities of women. He compares women
education in India at present and past situation and highlighted that there is good progress in
overall enrolment of girl students in India. M.Bhavani Sankara Rao (2011) highlighted that
women member in SHG discuss among themselves about health related problems and aware of
various Government provisions specially meant for them. Duflo.E (2011) argues that the inter
relationships of empowerment and development are probably too weak to be self sustaining and
that continuous policy commitment to being equality between men and women.
Angayarkanni (2010) in her study on “Problems of Women entrepreneurs in India”,
revealed that equally in education is the key to meeting other requirements for a culture of peace.
Women continue to face barriers to economic empowerment and entrepreneurship. These
obstacles include discrimination in education, training, hiring, access to credit, the right to own
and inherit property, lower levels of pay, promotion for equal work and greater domestic
responsibilities for women.
Farr – Wharton and Brunetto (2009) defines that the women entrepreneurs are those
who use their knowledge and resources to develop or create new business opportunities, who

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actively involved in managing their business and own at least 50% of business and have been in
operation for longer year.
Entrepreneur contributes in multiple ways to increase income, use of money resources,
brings about balanced development, encourages innovation, resource utilization, motivates
individual to starts enterprise, copes with change, community development, etc to promote
change in gradual and peaceful manner. (G.S.Batra, 2004, G.S. Sudha 2007, B.L.Gupta, Anil
Kumar 2009).
Increasing participation of women in productive activities is essential for growth of
nation. The position and status of women in any society is index of its civilization and it is
considered as the process of development. (D.S. Khari, 2009). Nowadays women have shifted
form kitchen, handicrafts and traditional industries into non – traditional higher level of
activities. Even government has laid special emphasis on need for conducting special
entrepreneurial training programmes for women and enable them to start their own enterprise
with the support of financial institutions and banks. (Parikh et al, 1999 & B.L. Gupta, Anil
kumar, 2009).
N.Manimekala and A.Mohammed Abdullah (2008) undergone a study to identify the
nature, size and scale of operation of women entrepreneurial activities. It reveals that women
entrepreneurs are more in small and micro level business and tend to choose products which are
mostly used by women rather than engaging in production or service oriented activities. Finally
it was found that, women running enterprises had contributed to their empowerment by leading
them to be independent, improving education of their children and sending girls outside for
education and work. In 18th century, person with capital was differentiated from one who needed
capital. The entrepreneur was distinguished from capital provider and innovations during this
period are according to changing world. (Lakwete, Angela, 2004; Albion, Michele Wehrwein,
2008).
Dinesh Awasthi and Manoj Mishra (2007) examined women’s entrepreneurship
development from no. of different perspectives. The economic empowerment of women through
women entrepreneurship development needs to give substantial emphasis to the development of
women’s bargaining power at all levels. It should ensure the breaking down of limiting gender
stereotypes and recognize the importance of women agency.
Jameela (2003) in her study to examine the effectiveness of various policies and
programmes implemented by the government in empowering women points out that micro-credit
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approach was successful not only for alleviating poverty but also for empowering women. It
further enhances their self-esteem and confidence which in turn helpful in building the capacity
of the poor women in managing self-employment opportunities.
Madhu Mauthy K (2003) in her study on “Entrepreneurs, Evaluation of the Concept and
Characteristics”, revealed that the dominant characteristics of women entrepreneurs are self-
confidence, perseverance, determination, energy, diligence, resourcefulness, ability to take risks,
need to achieve creativity, initiative, flexibility, positive response to challenges, independence,
foresight, dynamism, leadership, versatility, knowledge of product and technology,
responsiveness, profit-orientation, perception and optimism. Sumangala Naik (2003) in her
study on “The Need for developing Women Entrepreneurs” revealed that earlier women
concentrated much on traditional activities, due to the spread of education, favourale
Government. policies towards development of women entrepreneurship, women have changed
their attitudes and diverted towards non-traditional activities too.
John Sommer (2001) in a study relating to the empowerment of the oppressed suggests
that the corner stones of improving the livelihood of women are organizing them, building the
assets of the poor and building capacity that enables them to control their own affairs and
ensuring ‘social security’ defined in the Indian context
Huntley (1985) used a case study approach to explore the life events and experiences that
had influenced women to choose entrepreneurship as a career alternative. Surti and Sarupriya
(1983) investigated the psychological factors affecting women entrepreneurs in India and it
indicates that unmarried women experienced less stress and less self – role distance than married
women. Kent (1982) compared 45 women executives with 48 women entrepreneurs and found
that women entrepreneurs were better educated, placed a slightly higher emphasis on their job
than on their family.
A brief overview of the literature study has attempted to identify the various factors
influencing women to show her performance and empower her career as a entrepreneur.
Need for Women Empowerment:
Women are deprived of –
 Decision making power  Freedom of movement
 Access to education  Access to employment
 Exposure to media  Domestic violence

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Reasons of Empowerment of Women:
i) Since women are discriminated in the society in various aspects like participation level,
education and health care, so they need economic power to stand on their own legs.
ii) As per census in 2001, 54% women are literate and thus increasing education among women
is very important for empowering them.
iii) There are other problems like workplace harassment, kidnapping, dowry harassment, etc. so
they require empowerment in order to protect themselves and secure their dignity.
iv) Women empowerment is not possible unless they help to self – empower themselves and
need to formulate reducing poverty, promoting women education and elimination of violence
against women.
Status of Women Empowerment:
The status of Women Empowerment can’t be visualized in single dimension and it is
assessed in multi dimension in terms of various components of women’s life and status that
would bring clear conception. The overall statuses of women in terms of gender gap index
prepared by World Economic Forum in 2016 are:
Table 1: Details of Gender Gap index 2016 (Out of 144 countries)
India
Gender Gap Sub – indices
Rank Score
Economic Participation and Opportunity 136 0.408
Educational Attainment 113 0.950
Health and Survival 142 0.942
Political Empowerment 9 0.433
Overall Index (Global Index) 87 0.683
Source: World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report (2016)
Ways to Empower Women:
 Changes in women’s mobility and social interaction.
 Changes in women’s labour patterns.
 Changes in women’s access to and control over resources.
 Changes in women’s control over decision making.
 Providing education.
 Self employment and Self help group.

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  Providing minimum needs like Nutrition, Health, Sanitation and Housing.
 Encourage women to develop in their fields they are good at and make a career.
Problems faced by women entrepreneurs:
Table 2: The major problem faced by women in past days and it is extents today are:
 Gender discrimination  Lack of Education
 Female Infanticide  Family Responsibility
 Low Mobility  Low ability to bear risk
 Low need for achievement  Absence of ambition for the achievement
 Social status  Dowry
 Marriage in same caste and child marriage  Atrocities on Women

Challenges:
There are several challenges and issues of women’s right in India and target those issues will
benefit the empowerment of women in India.
a) Education: 82.14% of adult men are educated, whereas 65.46% of adult women are known to
be literate in India. This creates gender bias in higher education, specialized professional
trainings will make women hard in employment and top leadership position in any field.
b) Poverty: it is considered as greatest threat to peace in world and eradication of poverty should
be a national goal rather than eradication of illiteracy.
c) Health and Safety: it is an important factor in gauging the empowerment of women in a
country.
d) Professional Inequality: this is practiced in employment and promotions. Women face
countless handicaps in male customized and dominated environment in all enterprises.
e) Morality and Inequality: there is high morality rate in women reducing their population
especially in Asia, Africa and China.
f) Household Inequality: households’ relations show gender bias in small. (E.g.) sharing burden
of housework, childcare works.
Top Most Women Entrepreneurs in India:
There are top most women entrepreneurs in different zone in our India. Some examples
are Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (Chairman & Managing Director of Biocon Ltd.), Indra Nooyi
(CFO, Pepsico), Neelam Dhawan (Managing Director, Microsoft India), Naina Lal Kidwai
(Group General Manager & Country Head–HSBC, India), Indu Jain (Chairperson (former),
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Times Group), Priya Paul (Chairperson of Park Hotels), Simone Tata (former Chairperson of
LAKME, Chairperson of Trent Limited), Mallika Srinivasan (currently the Director of TAFE-
Tractors and Farm Equipment), Chanda Kochar (MD & CEO–ICICI Bank), Sulajja Firodia
Motwani (JMD–Kinetic Motors), Ekta Kapoor (JMD & Creative Director, Balaji Telefilms),
Ritu Kumar (Fashion Designer), Shahnaz Hussain (CEO, Shahnaz Herbals Inc), Jyoti nayak
(President Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad), Ravina Raj Kohli (Founder & Executive
Director, JobCorp), Preetha Reddy (Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals), Keya Seth
(Founder of Keya Seth’s Aromatherapy) etc.
Government Schemes for Women Empowerment:
The Government programmes for women development began as early as 1954 in India
but the actual participation began only in 1974. At present, the Government of India has over 34
schemes for women operated by different department and ministries. Some of these are as
follows;
1. Rastria Mahila Kosh (RMK) 1992-1993
2. Mahila Samridhi Yojana (MSY) October,1993.
3. Indira Mahila Yojana (IMY) 1995.
4. Women Entrepreneur Development programme given top priority in 1997-98.
5. Mahila Samakhya being implemented in about 9000 villages.
6. Swayasjdha.
7. Swa Shakti Group.
8. Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women(STEP).
9. Swalamban.
10. Crèches/ Day care centre for the children of working and ailing mother.
11. Hostels for working women.
12. Swadhar.
13. National Mission for Empowerment of Women.
14. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) (1975),
15. Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescence Girls (RGSEAG) (2010).
16. The Rajiv Gandhi National Crèche Scheme for Children of Working Mothers.
17. Integrated Child Protection scheme (ICPS) (2009-2010).
18. Dhanalakahmi (2008).
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19. Short Stay Homes.
20. Ujjawala (2007).
21. Scheme for Gender Budgeting (XI Plan).
22. Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP).
23. Training of Rural Youth for Self Employment (TRYSEM).
24. Prime Minister’s Rojgar Yojana (PMRY).
25. Women’s Development Corporation Scheme (WDCS).
26. Working Women’s Forum.
27. Indira Mahila Kendra.
28. Mahila Samiti Yojana.
29. Khadi and Village Industries Commission.
30. Indira Priyadarahini Yojana.
31. SBI’s Sree Shaki Scheme.
32. SIDBI’s Mahila Udyam Nidhi Mahila Vikas Nidhi.
33. NGO’s Credit Schemes.
34. National Banks for Agriculture and Rural Development’s Schemes.
Table 3: Govt. Plan for the Growth of Women Entrepreneurship through Five year Plan.
S.No. Five Year Plan Inspections on Women
Visualized a no. of welfare measures for women.
1. 1st Five – Year Plan (1951 – 56) Sets up the central and social welfare board for
promoting welfare work.
Supported the development of women to work at
2. 2nd Five – Year Plan (1956 – 61)
the grass roots.
3rd & 4th Five – Year Plans (1961 Supported female education as a major welfare
3.
– 66 and 1969 – 74) measure.
4. 5th Five – Year Plan (1974 – 79) Emphasized training of women.
Recognized women’s lack of access to resources
5. 6th Five – Year Plan (1980 – 85)
as a critical factor impending their growth.
6. 7th Five – Year Plan (1985 – 90) Emphasized the need for gender equality.
Focused on empowering women, especially at the
7. 8th Five – Year Plan (1992 – 97)
grass roots level.
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 9th Five – Year Plan (1997 –
8. Adopted a strategy of women’s component plan.
2002)
Aims at empowering women through translating
9. 10th Five – Year Plan (2002 – 07) the recently adopted National Policy for
Empowerment of Women (2001).
Encourage women in setting up their own
10. 11th Five – Year Plan
ventures.

Conclusion:
Women’s empowerment is not a Northern concept women all over the world, including
countries in South, have been challenging and changing gender inequalities since beginning of
history. Women represent half the world’s population and gender inequality exists in every
nation. Women has given the opportunities as that of men, where entire societies destined to
perform based on their potentials and important need is that of change of social attitude of
women.

“When women move forward the family moves, the village moves and the nation
moves.” This value systems lead to development of goods family, good society and good nation.
The empowerment of women has become one of the most important concerns in 21 st century at
national and international level. Since there is no gender discrimination, the government and
society initiates to create opportunities for self decision making and participation in social,
political and economic life of country.

Entrepreneurship of Women has enhanced their economic status and decision making
power. If women gain economic strength, they can gain visibility and voice at home, office and
community which has impact on social status by increasing their literacy, education and family
well being. Therefore, empowerment of women has good development in economic, goals of
society and also option for empowering backward women.

References

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