Women Entrepreneurship: The Road Map to Inclusive Growth

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International Journal in Management and Social Science (Impact Factor- 5.276)

Women Entrepreneurship: The Road Map to Inclusive Growth

Dr. Rajesh Pal Associate Professor Department of Economics

M. G. Kashi Vidyapith, Varanasi (U.P.) India. Introduction

The position of women and their status in any society is an index of its civilization. Women are to be considered as equal partners in the process of development for they perform many roles in our society as housewife, mother, agricultural producer, workers and involved in raising live stock growing, harvesting, processing, marketing and preparing food etc. They contribute considerable amount to household income through farm and non-farm activities but their contribution is not being recognised as compared to their male counterparts. The women in our country contribute her best to the welfare and progress of the society without any glare of publicity. Amartya Sen makes a compelling case for the notion that societies need to see women less as passive recipient of help and more as dynamic promoters of social transformation, a view strongly buttressed by a body of evidence suggesting that the education, employment and ownership rights of women have a powerful influence on their ability to control their environment and contribute to economic development. We must remember what a growing body of research tell us: supporting women is a high-yield investment, resulting in stronger economies, more vibrant societies, healthier communities, and greater peace and stability. Investing in women is a way to support future generations, women spend much more of their incomes on food, medicine and schooling for children (Clinton, 2009). The problems we face today are too big and too complex to be solved without the full participation of women. Strengthening women’s skill and talent is not only a continuing moral obligation – it is also a necessity as we face a global economic crisis, the spread of terrorism and nuclear weapons, regional conflicts that threaten families and communities, and climate change and the dangers it presents to the world’s health security. With the help of Entrepreneurial Development Programme (EDP) women could be brought into the mainstream of socio – economic development; which will help to achieve the objective of XI Five Year Plan i.e. “Towards Faster and More Inclusive Growth”. Women Entrepreneurship will not only enable them to get better jobs and economically self-sufficient or independent, but society will also gain. Movement of a woman a step ahead leads to the movement of family, society and ultimately whole nation. Employment gives economic status to women. Economic status paves the way for social status to women.

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the economic and social development of a country. Importance of development of entrepreneurship as an ingredient of economic development has been recognised long time back. It was as early as 1950 that the need for entrepreneurial development was first felt and since then substantial amount of research has gone in this sphere. It is a well known fact that entrepreneur are born and can be made in the sense that the quality can be improved in such a way. In our country where human resources are to be found in plenty, we can identify individuals in all segments of the population who have the requisite entrepreneurial skills (Uddin; et.al, 1990: 7). India has 397 million workers out of these 123.9 million are women workers. In rural areas 106 million women workers are working and 18 million women workers are working in urban areas. Only 7 per cent of India’s labour force is in the organised sector and 93 per cent is in unorganised informal sector. All told 96 per cent of women workers are in unorganised sectors (Government of India, 2006).

In the context of globalisation, associated with trade and financial liberalisation, the contribution of information and communication technology to GDP growth is riding sharply and becoming the driving force behind rising inequalities, as it raises the demand for skills that are in short supply and highly unequally distributed between different regions, towns, income groups and between men and women (Bhattacharya, 2008; Nauriyal, et.al., 2009). There is now a genuine and widespread recognition about the adverse social consequences of rising inequalities in the recent high growth phase, which do not seem to be mitigated through the so called ‘trickle-down’ mechanism. Therefore whole section in the XIth Plan document of Government of India has been attributed to “Towards Faster and More Inclusive Growth.” Inclusive growth is defined in the XIth Plan as ‘growth process which yields broad based benefits and ensures equality of opportunity for all’, it stands for ‘equitable development’ or ‘growth with social justice’, which have always been the watch words of development planning in India. In 2001, illiterates number closed to 296 million of which 190 million were women, 36 per cent of the world’s non-literate population resided in India in 2004. Women are proportionately most significant in the agricultural labour force, accounting for over 36 per cent in developing countries as a whole (Steward, 1992). Their role is especially large in informal sector i.e., manufacture of textiles and clothing, embroidery, spices where they often form the largest part of the workforce. Most of the spices produced come from the unorganised backward farm sector, cultivated mainly by women. A large number of women are involved in production, processing and marketing. It is necessary to consider the subject of globalisation in terms of its impact on the entire economy and society but with a perspective that is sensitive to women’s needs and conditions because women comprise about half the sub-continent’s population. Women, who have so far been on the margin, need to be put at the centre of the development of the theory and practice. The productive restructuring of the economy and its more equitable social distribution necessitates sensitivity to women’s issues (Prasad, 1990:13)

Problems of Women Entrepreneurship in India

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With the advent of globalisation, the glass ceilings are shattered and women are found indulged in every line of business from papad to power cables. Skill, knowledge, and adaptability in business are the main reasons for women to emerge into business ventures. They are flourishing as designers, interior decorators, exporters, publishers, garment manufacturers and still exploring new avenues of economic participation. But that good news has a flip side. Women still comprise the majority of the world’s poor, unfed and unschooled unskilled. The entrepreneurial world is still a male dominated one. Indian women entrepreneurs are facing some major constraints like – lack of confidence, social cultural barriers, market oriented risk, lack of family support, decision making, lack of accessibility to external funds, lack of awareness, patriarchal society, illiteracy, ignorance and traditional value system are creating hurdles in the development of women entrepreneurial skill in India.

Women’s family and personal obligations are sometimes a great barrier for succeeding in business career. Their family members and the society are reluctant to support their entrepreneurial growth. Only few women are able to manage both home and business efficiently and effectively. Women as entrepreneurs faced many problems like social, economic and other problems in India. The problems of women entrepreneurship are:

Social Problems

Patriarchy has completely influenced the authority pattern, property rights inheritance, division of labour, control over children, sets of relationships particularly with women in the family and community, pattern of behaviour and attitudes of the people most societies world over. Patriarchy, or male authority, has shaped the ownership pattern of property, both individual and collective, pattern of political authority, rules of governance and nature of primitive and medieval political authority (Prasad, 1999:30). What to manufacture, site selection, procurement of plant and machinery, understanding of statutory compliances, understanding of raw materials, installation and management of industries requires close and continuous watch over work in progress and demands mutual relationship with workers irrespective of sex. Even they have to stay during night. The traditional and conservative society having orthodox men dislikes women’s stay outside, especially during night. In the patriarchal society, men still dominate over women in every walk of life; women are not allowed to go out of the family to take any jobs or to get professional training. Women’s biological speciality of child-bearing and her physical necessity of confinement in pre and post natal periods were cleverly exploited by the menfolk to subdue and relegate her to a subordinate position (Prasad, 1999:30). Illiteracy or low level of education creates hurdles for women. It is well known that women do not derive any assets from their parents because of existence of inheritance property law. Besides, women are generally not allowed to move a long distance. This immobility creates obstacles in the way of women entrepreneurship.

Economic Problems

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sincere efforts taken towards women entrepreneurs may not reach the entrepreneurs in rural and backward areas.

The problem lies in the attitude of the society, not of legislators, who already constitute an enlightened upper crust. To transform society, we need social activists at the grassroots. Without social acceptance, rules and laws on gender equality are difficult to implement. We have to think over both the progress we have made and the challenges that remain – and to think about the vital role that women must play in helping to solve the complex global challenges of the 21st_{century. Realising the full} potential and promise of women and girls is not only a matter of empowerment and justice. It is a matter of enhancing global peace, progress and prosperity for generations to come. No country has developed rapidly over a long period without having been to some extent liberating women from their traditional household chores and without their close association in various socio-economic productive oriented programmes. The planners and policy makers are also aware of the crucial role of the women in economic development and are making effort to encourage greater participation of women through development of their entrepreneurship skill.

Government Programmes to Strengthen Women Entrepreneurship

Unrestrained access to public goods and services is the sine qua non of an open and efficient society. Accessibility to public goods and services could be achieved through inclusive growth. The Department of Women and Child Development under Ministry of Human Resource formulates plans and policies, guides and coordinates the efforts of both government and N.G.Os working in this field. At present, the Government of India has several schemes for women operated by different departments and ministries. Some of these are:

 National Commission for Women: The National Commission for Women was set-up on 31 January 1992 under the chairpersonship of Ms. Jayanti Patnaik. This is a statutory body set-up under the National Commission for Women Act 1990 to safeguard the rights and interests of women. This programme emphasis on examination, investigation and review of all matters relating to the safeguards provided to women under the constitution of India. This programme also review and implement women specific and women related legislation and suggests amendments if needed. The Commission also hold public meetings to listen to the grievances of the affected women.

 Indira Mahila Yojana: This yojana was started in August 1995 in 200 development blocks in the country. Under this programme women groups in the village and slums works in centres established in Angan-Wadis.

 Rastriya Mahila Kosh: The Rastriya Mahila Kosh was introduced in 1993 to provide economic support and to develop entrepreneurship skills among women. This programme helps in extending credit facilities to women through micro-credit institutions which lends funds to women self-help groups in rural and urban areas.

 Women Labour Cell: The Ministry of Labour has set-up a Women Labour Cell in1975 to perform the following functions:

 Monitoring the implementation of the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 for promotion of employment of women;

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 Provides grants-in-aid to NGOs and voluntary organisations for the execution of action oriented projects for women workers;

 Formulation and co-ordination of policies and programmes regarding women labour force.

 Maintaining liaisons with other government agencies to secure effective implementation of programmes in respect of women workers.

 Women’s Economic Programme (WEP): With the assistance of Norwegian Agency for Development Corporation Women’s Economic Programme (WEP) was launched in 1982. Under this programme grants are given to voluntary women’s organisation to help poor women.  Swayamsidha: Swayamsidh programme for women’s empowerment was introduced in 2001.

The long term objective of this programme is the all round development of women especially social and economic development by ensuring their accessibility and control over resources through a sustained process of mobilisation and convergence of all on-going sectoral programmes. This project has ended in 2007.

 Swa-Shakti Project: This project was started in October 1999 for socio-economic development and empowerment of women. The objective of this project was to promote women’s self-help group, micro credit and income generating activities. This project was ended in 2005.

 Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP): Most of the women in India are employed in informal sector especially in traditional sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, handlooms, handicrafts, social forestry, animal husbandry etc. They are unskilled, untrained less informed and powerless. In order to improve their skill and knowledge Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP) was launched in 1987. The objective of this programme is to upgrades the skills of poor and asset less and power less women and to provide training and employment on a sustainable basis in traditional sectors. It is expected that this programme would enhance their productivity and income generation capacity and broaden their employment opportunities including self-employment and development of entrepreneurship skills.

 Swalamban Programme: This programme was started in1982-83. The objective of this programme is to provide training to poor, needy women and weaker sections of the society such as scheduled castes and scheduled tribes etc. to enable them to get employment or self-employment on sustainable basis.

 Swadhar: This programme was started in 2001-02 for the benefit of those women (widows, destitute women, women prisoners and migrants etc.) who find themselves in difficult circumstances and who are not covered by other schemes. The objectives of this scheme are:

 To provide emotional support and counselling to such women.

 To provide basic needs such as shelter, food and clothing to poor women.

 Make them strong and economically independent by providing training, up-to-date knowledge and personality development through behavioural training etc.  Employment-Cum -Income Generation-Cum Production Unit: This scheme was started in

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employed in non-traditional trades such as electronics, computer programming, printing and binding, weaving and spinning and garment making etc.

 Socio- Economic Programme (SEP): Central Social Welfare Board has implemented this programme to provide employment and training to needy women i.e., destitute, widows, deserted, economically backward and handicapped. Under this programme traditional, non-traditional, agro-based industries are promoted.

 Condensed Courses of Education and Vocational Training for Adult Women (CCE&VT): This programme was introduced in 1958 with the objective of providing new vistas of employment through continuing education and vocational training for women and girls who are school dropouts.

 Mahila Samridhi Yojana (MSY): This programme was launched on 2nd October 1993. This programme was designed to empower women by raising their economic status apart from enabling them to exercise great control over their own household resources. The scheme offers facilities of small deposits with attractive rate of interest, through the network of various post offices. Besides these programmes other programmes which help women to develop their skill and aptitude are:

 National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI),  National Social Assistance Programme  National Resource Centre for Women  Women’s Development Corporation Scheme  NGOs Credit Scheme

 National Common Minimum Programme  Noida National Nutrition Policy

 Balika Samridhi Yojana

 Rural Women’s Development and Empowerment Project  National Crèche Fund

 Prime Minister Rojgar Yojana

 Training of Rural Youth and Self -Employment (TRYSEM)  SBI’s Shree Shakti Scheme:

Accelerated economic growth and rising prosperity will percolate to these sections only when they will participation in the development of an economy. Since women are almost one half of the world’s population having enormous potential but being underutilized or unutilized for the economic development of the nation. There is need to strengthen and streamline the role of women in the development of various sectors by harnessing their unique talents towards nation building and to attain inclusive growth.

To strengthen women entrepreneurship, all the present development programmes and policies could be planned properly and implemented effectively in order to attain self-sufficiency, self-reliance and inclusive growth. The following initiatives could help women entrepreneurship:

 Women must be encouraged to attain Entrepreneurial Development Programme (EDP);  Marketing training must be provided to women entrepreneurship;

 Personality development and motivational training must be provided;

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International Journal in Management and Social Science (Impact Factor- 5.276)  They must be encouraged to visit an industry and factory;

 Financial assistance must be provided to them at nominal rate of interest;

 Training institutes must make an arrangement to get her participation along with her family.

Conclusion

Industrial development of any country is the outcome of purposeful human activity and entrepreneurial activity and thrust. The success of the entrepreneur depends on environmental factors such that economic, social, culture, political, legal and technological. These factors leverage the entrepreneurial behaviour and operation of business. Therefore, infrastructure has to be developed to cultivate the quality of leadership among potential enterprising young men and women so that they imbibe the spirit of enterprise to assume risk in consonance with national objectives and preferences (Uddin, et.al, 1990:i). Today, perhaps no field is unapproachable to trained and modern Indian women. However, their movement is still in transition period.

The inclusive growth can only be achieved by combining rapid growth with pro-women growth, equity and stability promoting growth. The strategy of inclusiveness required participation of vulnerable section of society i.e., women, children and poor people etc. Thus the strategy of inclusive growth is based on four attributes viz; opportunity, capability, access and security. Opportunity implies generation of more and varied way of livelihood for people to earn a living and increase their income over time. Capability implies that the economy is providing means for people to create or enhance their capabilities in order to exploit available opportunities. Access implies that the economy is providing means to bring the opportunities and capabilities together. Security implies the provision of means for people to protect themselves against a temporary or permanent loss of livelihood. These four attributes of inclusive growth must come at the disposal of the women. When this happened women will be empowered automatically and in repercussion lead to inclusive growth and sustainable globalisation.

The planners and policy makers are making effort to encourage greater participation of women in areas, which are traditionally not open to them. When women move forward, the family moves, the society moves and ultimately the nation will move towards the nation’s objective of inclusive growth. The entrepreneurial skill of women is being encouraged and supported by both at governmental and non-governmental level, since it increases the social and economic status of women. It will not only enable them to get better jobs and economically self-sufficient or independent, but society will also gain. References

 Uddin,Sami, Rehman, Mahfoozpur, et.al (1990) “Entrepreneurial Development in India”, Mittal Publication New Delhi.

 Shah, Giriraj (1995) “The Encyclopaedia of Women’s studies” Vol.I, New Delhi: Gyan Publishing House.

 Prasad, Rajeshwar (1999) “Globalisation, Culture and Women’s Development in Sethi Rajmohini (ed.): “Globalisation, Culture, and Women’s Development”, Jaipur: Rawat Publication.

 Bhattachrya, B.B. (2008) “Education skill formation and India’s economic development”, The Indian Economic journal

 Nauriyal, D.K.,Bimal K. Sahoo and Anil Dixit (2009) “Economic Growth, Globalisation and Human Capital: Empirical Evidence from India”, The Indian Economic Journal, Vol.56 No.4, January-March

 Government of India, (2006)The Report of the Working Group on Empowerment of Women for the Eleventh Five Year Plan.