WOMEN EMPOWERMENT THROUGH ENTREPRENUERSHIP

H.S. ABZAL BASHA Research Scholar, Afzalphd.skim@gmail.com Mobile: +919703757372 Dr. B. KRISHNA REDDY Professor bkreddy.usha@gmail.com Mobile: +919440209689

Sri Krishnadevaraya Institute of Management,S.K University,Anantapur-515003,Andhra Pradesh

ABSTRACT

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. But, because of centuries of exploitation and subjugation, Indian women have remained at the receiving end. Women in India have been the neglected lot. They have not been actively involved in the mainstream of development even though they represent equal proportion of the population and labour force. Primarily women are the means of survival of their families, but are generally unrecognized and undervalued, being placed at the bottom of the pile. Women as an independent target group, account for 591.4 million and represent 48.46% of the countrys population, as per the 2011 census. No country can achieve its potential without adequately investing in and developing the capabilities of women. In the interest of long-term development it is necessary to facilitate their empowerment. In many developing countries, including India, women have much less access to education, jobs, income and power than men. Even after five and half decades of planned development Indian women have not achieved expected success in the mainstream of life. Our country will be unable to have a competitive edge over others until and unless the status and role of women is improved.

Key words: Women Empowerment, Women Entrepreneurship.

Introduction
Today there are lots of things that are happening in the name of women empowerment in India and lot of resources are spent in this direction. Keeping this in mind it is crucial to have a reality check on what is happening on paper and what is the actual ground situation. It is worthwhile to ponder on the fact that we are one of the worst in terms of worldwide gender equality rankings. In India women are discriminated and marginalized at every level of the society whether it is social participation, economic opportunity and economic participation, political participation, access to education or access to nutrition and reproductive health care. A significant few in the society still consider women as sex objects. The year 2001 was declared as the National policy for empowerment of women. So it is time to ask the question whether we are moving in the right direction and where are we in terms of the paper actions and the actual ground realities. One of the major aspects of women empowerment in India is to change the attitude of society towards women. The problem in India is that the society never worked on the premise of gender equality from a long-long time. Atrocities and discrimination against women is a way of daily life in Indian society. There is an attitude which still prevails in India where women are considered to be only worthwhile of household activities and managing the children. The pardah system, child marriage, dowry system are testimonies to this truth. Women have never been part of the mainstream society in India and they are still considered as a great liability. If we just look at the sex ratio it will show the plight of women in India. It is the lowest at around 933. Female literacy is just 54.16 % as per 2001 Census. In Indian parliament and assemblies women have never represented more than 10%. Most of the women workers in India are outside the organized sector. Administrators, managers, professionals combined together and technical workers on the other hand are the lowest at 2.3% and 20 % respectively. Now these figures gives the real truth of the actual mentality of the society which has restricted women, marginalized women and discriminated against women quite openly. Can we achieve women empowerment in India with these alarming and dismal figures?

Women Entrepreneurs are the women or a group of women who initiate, organize and operate a business enterprise. The government of India notes women entrepreneurs as an enterprise owned and controlled by women saving a minimum financial interest of 51 per cent of the capital and giving at least 51 per cent of the employment generated in the enterprise to women.

Women Empowerment includes the following, or similar, capabilities

The ability to make decisions about personal/collective circumstances The ability to access information and resources for decision-making Ability to consider a range of options from which to choose (not just yes/no, either/or.) Ability to exercise assertiveness in collective decision making Having positive-thinking about the ability to make change Ability to learn and access skills for improving personal/collective circumstance. Ability to inform others perceptions though exchange, education and engagement. Involving in the growth process and changes that is never ending and self-initiated Increasing one's positive self-image and overcoming stigma Increasing one's ability in discreet thinking to sort out right and wrong

The objectives of Women Empowerment

Creating an environment through positive economic and social policies for full development of women to enable them to realize their full potential The de-jure and de-facto enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedom by women on equal basis with men in all spheres political, economic, social, cultural and civil Equal access to participation and decision making of women in social, political and economic life of the nation Equal access to women to health care, quality education at all levels, career and vocational guidance, employment, equal remuneration, occupational health and safety, social security and public office etc. Strengthening legal systems aimed at elimination of all forms of discrimination against women

Changing societal attitudes and community practices by active participation and involvement of both men and women. Mainstreaming a gender perspective in the development process. Elimination of discrimination and all forms of violence against women and the girl child and Building and strengthening partnerships with civil society, particularly womens organizations.

Successful Indian women entrepreneurs

Profiling some of the top 10 women entrepreneurs India has seen: 1. Indra Nooyi-President of PepsiCo. 2.
Naina Lal Kidwai- General Manager, HSBC Group India.

3. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw- CMD, Biocon 4. Indu Jain - Chairman of The Times Group 5. Priya Paul- Chairperson, Apeejay Park Hotels. 6. Sulajja Firodia Motwani-The Joint Managing Director of Kinetic Motors. 7. Simone Tata- Chairperson of Trent Limited, a subsidiary of the Tata group. 8. Neelam Dhawan - MD, Microsoft India and is the head of marketing and sales. 9. Ekta Kapoor Founder of Balaji Telefilms 10. Mallika Srinivasan- Director TAFE India

What is the Need for women entrepreneurs in India?

In India most of women lives in semi-urban and rural areas and a lot of measures have been taken to promote women entrepreneurs. It is observed that women can establish business units in those areas where they have core competency. Women have proved their core competency in the areas of Information Technology (IT), management, personal care services and health care services. The followings are some of important reasons for emerging women entrepreneurship: 1. Educated women do not find suitable job. 2. Women do not feel comfortable to work in their houses. 3. Women have an instinct to prove their innovative skill like men.

4. Women desire additional income to provide support to their families. 5. They have a desire for new challenges and opportunities for self-fulfillment. 6. Desire to enjoy social status equal to that of men. 7. Economic compulsions have encouraged for emerging of women entrepreneurs. 8. Women desire to share family responsibilities like men.

Resources to be provided
1. Finance cells: A large number of various finance cells may be open to provide easy finance to women entrepreneurs. These special cells should provide finance to women entrepreneurs at low and concessional rates of interest and on easy repayment facilities. 2. Marketing Co-operatives: Marketing co-operatives should be established to encourage and assist to women entrepreneurs. Government should give preference to women entrepreneurs while purchasing their requirements. These marketing co-operating will help the women entrepreneurs to sell their products on remunerative prices. This will help in eliminating the middlemen. 3. Supply of raw-materials: The required, scare and imported raw-materials should be made available to women entrepreneurs at priority basis at concessional rate. 4. Educational and awareness: The educational and awareness programmers should be arranged to change the negative social attitudes towards women. The attitude of elders needs to be changed about the potential of girls and their due role in society. 5. Training facilities: Training and developments programmers play very essential role for the development of entrepreneurship. Special training schemes should be so designed that women can get full advantages.

Government schemes for women empowerment

The government program 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 27 schemes for women operated by different departments and ministries. Some of these are:

Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) Training of Rural Youth for Self-Employment (TRYSEM)

Prime Ministers Rojgar Yojana (PMRY) Womens Development Corporation Scheme (WDCS) Working Womens Forum Indira Mahila Yojana Indira Mahila Kendra Mahila Samiti Yojana Rashtriya Mahila Kosh Khadi and Village Industries Commission Indira Priyadarshini Yojana SIDBIs Mahila Udyam Nidhi Mahila Vikas Nidhi SBIs Sree Shaki Scheme NGOs Credit Schemes
National Banks for Agriculture and Rural Developments Schemes etc.,

Women empowerment and planning process

The all round development of women has been one of the focal point of planning process in India. The First Five-Year Plan (1951-56) envisaged a number of welfare measures for women. Establishment of the Central Social Welfare Board, organization of Mahila Mandals and the Community Development Programmes were a few steps. In the second Five-Year Plan (1956-61), the empowerment of women was closely linked with the overall approach of intensive agricultural development programmes. The Third and Fourth Five-Year Plans (1961-66 and 1969-74) supported female education as a major welfare measure. The Fifth Five-Year Plan (1974-79) emphasized training of women, who were in need of income and protection. This plan coincided with International Womens Decade and the submission of Report of the Committee on the Status of Women in India. In 1976, Womens welfare and Development Bureau was set up under the Ministry of Social Welfare. The Sixth Five-Year Plan (1980-85) saw a definite shift from welfare to development. It recognized womens lack of access to resources as a critical factor impending their growth. The Seventh Five-Year Plan (1985-90) emphasized the need for gender equality and empowerment. For the first time, emphasis was placed upon qualitative aspects such as

inculcation of confidence, generation of awareness with regards, to rights and training in skills for better employment. The Eight Five-Year Plan (1992-97) focused on empowering women, especially at the gross roots level, through Panchayat Raj Institutions. The Ninth Five-Year Plan (1997-2002) adopted a strategy of womens component plan, under which not less than 30 percent of funds/benefits were earmarked for women-specific programmes. The Tenth Five-Year Plan (2002-07) aims at empowering women through translating the recently adopted National Policy for Empowerment of Women (2001) into action and ensuring Survival, Protection and Development of women and children through rights based approach.

Training programmes
The following training schemes especially for the self employment of women are introduced by government: 1. Support for Training and Employment Programme of Women (STEP). 2. Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA). 3. Small Industry Service Institutes (SISIs) 4. State Financial Corporations 5. National Small Industries Corporations 6. District Industrial Centres (DICs)

Suggestions to make EDPs Successful

1. Emphasis on stimulating, supporting and sustaining activities: The success of EDPs depends upon the stimulating, supporting and sustaining activities. Stimulating activities includes entrepreneurial education, publicity of entrepreneurial facilities, motivational training and assistance in the identification of viable projects, creating a common platform for entrepreneurs, where they can share their problems, experiences and success.

2. Focus on achievement motivation: It is important to develop achievement motivation amongst prospective entrepreneur through proper training and conducive environment to create right type of impact of training. 3. Designing of viable projects: The entrepreneurial development agencies should select right people, impart right training and entrust viable projects to make EDPs successful. 4. Selection of trainees: Trainees should be selected after proper examinations and tests. 5. Training of trainers: The entrepreneurial development agencies should provide proper training to the trainers. 6. Organizing part time programmes: Part time EDPs can organize for particular group of persons. These EDPs can be conducted during weekends or in the evening. 7. Duration of EDPs: The time period of EDPs should be increased to six months.

Barriers of women empowerment

Many of the barriers to women empowerment and equity lie ingrained into the cultures of certain nations and societies. Many women feel these pressures, while others have become accustomed to being treated inferior to men. 1. Shortage of Finance 2. Marketing problems 3. Shortage of raw materials 4. Stiff competition 5. Limited managerial ability 6. High cost of production 7. Lack of entrepreneurial aptitude 8. Low risk taking ability 9. Family responsibilities 10. Social attitudes 11. Lake of Education 12. Lack of entrepreneurial training

13. Legal Formalities 14. Travelling

Conclusion: Women Empowerment is not giving women power; women already have plenty
of power, in the wealth of their knowledge and motivation, to do their jobs magnificently. It encourages women to gain the skills and knowledge that will allow them to overcome obstacles in life or work environment and ultimately, help them develop within themselves or in the society.

References
1. Women Entrepreneurship in Small scale Industries by S. Mathivannan. 2. Andhras women entrepreneurs their way into male bastions by B.V.Mahalakshmi 3. A Discussion Paper (2003): "Quality Parameters of Self Help Groups", A discussion paper series 2, August 2003, Sa-Dhan, New Delhi, India. 4. Ajay Nair (2001): "Sustainability of Microfinance Self Help Groups in India: Would Federating Help", World Bank Policy Research Working Paper, No. 3616. 5. Ajay Tankha (2002): "Self-help Groups as Financial Intermediaries in India: Cost of Promotion, Sustainability and Impact", A study prepared for ICCO and Cordaid, The Netherlands. 6. Aloysius P. Fernandez : "Rural Management Systems Series, Paper 32", A Concept Paper on Federations of Self Help Groups, MYRADA, Bangalore, India. 7. Aloysius P. Fernandez (2004): "Rural Management Systems Series Paper 38", Community Managed Resource Centres, May 10, 2004, MYRADA, Bangalore, India. 8. Aloysius Prakash Fernandez (2003): "The MYRADA Experience, Putting Institutions FirstEven in Micro Finance", MYRADA, Bangalore. India. Hossain, Ismail Md. (2004), Paribarik 9. Porjae Narir Khomotayon of NGO er Uddog: Ekti Porjalichona, Empowerment, Vol.6, p15. 10. Khanum, Mustafa Sultana (2001), Women with Extra Eyes: The Role of RMP in Women Empowerment in Rural Bangladesh, Empowerment, Vol.8, pp95-96.