ENGLISH

ASSIGNMET
(FOR MID-TERM)

Submitted by:-

RAJASHREE MUKTIAR
 DEPT. OF COMMERCE

ROLL NO:- MCI15020

CHANGING ROLE OF
WOMAN IN BUSINESS IN
INDIA
The days are gone when women were considered no match for
the powerful men in the world. The male dominated world was
even reluctant to acknowledge the fact that women were as
good as men on parameters of hard work, intelligence quotient
(IQ) and leadership traits. The women of new generation across
the world have overcome all negative notions and have proved
themselves beyond doubt in all spheres of life including the
most intricate and cumbersome world of entrepreneurship.
Yes, there is a section among women who believe in short cuts
to success but at the same time there is no dearth of women
who are confident, have belief in themselves and have
enormous fire in their bellies to take on the best in the business
and beat them at their own game.
In India too, there are such bold and fearless women who have
made a mark for themselves both within the country as well as
overseas. Women in India are generally perceived as home
makers with little to do with economy or commerce. But this
picture is changing. Now, in modern India more and more
women are taking entrepreneurial activity especially in medium
and small scale enterprises. Even though women are receiving
education, they face the prospect of unemployment. In this
background, self employment can be regarded as a cure to
generate income. The Indian government as well as the
Planning commission recognizes the need for women to be part
of the mainstream of economic development. Women
entrepreneurship is seen to act as an effective strategy to solve
the problems of both rural and urban poverty.
Traditionally, women in India have been found generally 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.
Women entrepreneurs in India are handicapped in the matter
of organizing and running businesses because of their generally
low level of skills and for want of support system. The transition
from homemaker to sophisticated business women is not that
easy. But now the trend is changing. Women all over India are
showing an interest to be economically independent. They are
coming forth to the business arena with ideas to start small and
medium enterprises. They are willing to get inspired by their
role models i.e., the experience of other successful women in
the business arena. Especially the role of women entrepreneurs
is relevant in the situation of large scale unemployment that
the country faces. The modern large scale industry also cannot
absorb much of labour as it is capital intensive. The small scale
industry hence plays an important role in absorbing around
80% of the employment.
The myth that women cannot get themselves engaged in
productive employment is needed to be dispelled. They should
be encouraged to set up small and medium industries on their
own initiative. Entrepreneurship development for women is an
important factor relating to economic development in India.
Rural women should be encouraged to start cottage industries.
The government through its various schemes such as Integrated
Rural Development Program (IRDP), Training of Rural Youth for
Self Employment (TRYSEM), and Development of Women and
Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA); is also putting efforts to
encourage the rural based micro enterprises. The aim besides
this is to remove poverty through entrepreneurial programs.
An ILO report on women entrepreneurship has identified the
following problems faced by women entrepreneurs:-
1. Lack of family support :- Sometimes the family may make
the women feel guilty of neglecting the household duties
in pursuit of her business obligations. Cultural traditions
and practices may hold back a woman from venturing into
her own business.
2. Lack of capital:- The traditional sources of finance like
banks are reluctant to lend to women entrepreneurs
especially if they do not have any male or family backing.
This is especially in case of lower income families.
Sometimes women do not have proper financial and legal
knowledge to start an enterprise.
3. Lack of confidence and faith:- Lack of role models
undermines their self confidence. The entrepreneurial
activities are considered abhorrent to female genders.
4. Lack of right public/private institutions:- Most public and
private incentives are misused and do not even reach the
women unless she is backed by a man. Also many trade
associations like the ministries, chambers of commerce do
not cater to the women; instead expecting women’s
organizations to do the necessary thing.
But,now the scenario is been changing. Despite of facing
such hurdles, the Indian women through their relentless zeal,
incessant quench for success and willingness to walk the
extra mile have broken all myths about their inborn
limitations that were supposed to be major roadblocks on
their success expressways in the business arena. Such Indian
women who have excelled in the field of business are
treasures for our country and can be easily termed as role
models for every Indian - both male and females. Some
examples are –

 Arundhati Bhattacharya, first Chairperson of SBI

 Chanda Kochhar, Managing Director & CEO, ICICI Bank
Limited
 Naina Lal Kidwai, Group General Manager & Country
Head of HSBC India
 Renu Sud Karnad, Managing Director, HDFC
 Shikha Sharma, Managing Director & CEO, Axis Bank
 Subhalakshmi Panse, Chairman & MD, Allahabad Bank
These are only a few examples of great women personalities
in the field of business. Many more successful ladies are
there in this business arena who have totally changed the
myth that women cannot engage themselves in business.
The government of India must evolve appropriate policies
and measures to support women entrepreneurs for more
growth and development in the business field. All these will
foster a culture of women entrepreneurship in India.
Technical terms:- parameters, intelligence quotient,
leadership traits, overseas market, entrepreneurial activity,
effective strategy, Human Development Report (HDR),
Gender related Development Index(GDI) , Integrated Rural
Development Program(IRDP), Training of Rural Youth for Self-
Employment(TRYSEM), Development of Women & Children
in Rural Areas(DWCRA), Chambers of Commerce,
International Labour Organization etc.