- Women Entrepreneurship
Definition: Women entrepreneurship refers to the process by which women initiate, organize, and run a business enterprise.
Importance:
- Enhances economic independence of women
- Promotes job creation and rural development
- Encourages innovation and local resource utilization
- Improves social status and decision-making power
Government Schemes:
- MUDRA Yojana – Collateral-free loans for small enterprises
- Stand-Up India – Loans for SC/ST and women entrepreneurs
- TREAD Scheme – Trade Related Entrepreneurship Assistance
- Mahila E-Haat – Online platform for marketing products
- Start-Up India – Innovation support for women startups
Challenges:
- Lack of access to credit and finance
- Societal constraints and gender bias
- Limited training and mentorship opportunities
- Poor infrastructure and mobility issues
- Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for Economic Empowerment of Women
Definition: A collaborative approach where government, private sector, and civil society work together to empower women economically.
Objectives:
- Leverage private sector expertise and resources
- Provide market access, skill training, and technology
- Encourage gender-inclusive policies
Examples:
- CSR Initiatives by companies (e.g., ITC, HUL) supporting women SHGs
- Skill development under PPP model – e.g., PMKVY
- Mahila E-Haat – Government platform with private tech support
Benefits:
- Scalable and sustainable impact
- Promotes inclusive growth
- Enhances women’s employability and entrepreneurship
- Building Rural Institutions for Women Empowerment
Definition: Creation of community-based organizations led by women to enable collective action and economic participation.
Key Institutions:
- Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
- SHG Federations
- Women Cooperatives
- Women Farmer Producer Companies (WFPCs)
Examples:
- Kudumbashree (Kerala) – Successful SHG model
- Deccan Development Society (Telangana) – Women farmer collectives
Functions:
- Microcredit and savings
- Skill training and capacity building
- Market linkage and collective enterprises
- Empowerment through social networking and advocacy
Benefits:
- Economic self-reliance
- Boost in leadership and negotiation skills
- Improved livelihoods and community development
Quick Revision Table
Topic | Key Focus | Example / Scheme |
Women Entrepreneurship | Start, manage business | MUDRA, Stand-Up India, TREAD |
PPP for Empowerment | Govt + Private collaboration for training/market | PMKVY, CSR-based SHG support |
Rural Institutions for Women | SHGs, Coops, FPCs for collective action | Kudumbashree, Deccan Dev. Society |
