Women Entrepreneurs in India: Combating with the Gender Bias

Abstract

In developed countries women actively participate in business and other activities without any social and other restrictions.
However, in a developing country like India, the situation is different for women. Women are generally perceived as home makers
with little to do with economy or commerce. The present study aims to look into how the notion is changing over time with more
number of women coming forth to the business arena with ideas to start small and medium enterprises. They consider
entrepreneurship to be rewarding and regard it as an alternative to limited options to career advancement. At the same time it also
draws attention to the fact that transition from homemaker to sophisticated business women is not an easy task as women are
continuously discriminated against. Women entrepreneurs not only contribute to improving their own economic welfare but add
to the economic and social fabric of society through job creation, innovative products, processes and services. Thus, they act as an
important human resource of the nation and can be utilized as mediators of economic growth and development. The study
emphasizes that the country should recognize the need for women to be part of the mainstream economic development and help to
promote a more enabling environment for women’s entrepreneurship.