"Entrepreneurship As A Weapon Of Female Emancipation"

“Women make up one half of society. Our society will remain backward and in chains unless its women are liberated, enlightened and educated.” “Now, should we treat women as independent agents, responsible for themselves?

How entrepreneurship serves as a weapon of female emancipation

In business, the entry of women is relatively a new phenomenon. Because of the break-up of the joint family system and the need for additional income for maintaining the living standards in the face of inflation or rising prices, women have started entering the most competitive world of business. Thus, because of the economic necessity, women have begun entering business field for earning some income and increasing their family income in modern days of inflation.

Another motive force compelling women to enter business world is their strong desire for high achievement in their life. In modern days, though women are educated, they are not able to find jobs in the market place or they may not be able to go out of their homes for working somewhere else because of family problems. Woman is tempted strongly by a desire to achieve something high and valuable and prove herself as an asset and not a liability to the family. This is the strongest motivating force for a woman to become an entrepreneurs.

Some common features of women entrepreneurs found in India are listed below:

1. Most women with small income are likely to become entrepreneurs

2. Women with small facilities are likely to become entrepreneurs

3. A majority of women entrepreneurs are married. With the support of their husband they accepted entrepreneurship.

4. Most spinsters face difficulties in obtaining financial support to start their enterprises.

5. A large number of women with little or no education and training enter into the business field.

6. Many women become entrepreneurs out of economic necessity.

7. Women’s sincerity and hard work is the cause for sustainability and growth.

8. Women entrepreneurs are security oriented rather than growth oriented

9. Most women prefer stabilization of income and minimization of risk

10. Business enterprises of women lack working capital, this causes low profit margin

Why women become entrepreneurs?

1. To become economically independent

2. To establish their own enterprise

3. To establish their identity in the society

4. To achieve Excellency in their endeavour

5. To build confidence to themselves

6. To develop risk assuming ability

7. To claim equal status in the society

8. To secure greater freedom and mobility

Reasons for Starting an Enterprise in India

“When woman moves forward, the family moves, the village moves and the nation moves.” is rightly said by Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru. Employment gives status and economic independence to women leading to an empowered woman. Women set up an enterprise due to economic and non-economic reasons as well.

Various reasons can be due to:

1. Motivational factors

i. Economic necessity

ii. Independence

iii. Self-actualisation

iv. Govt. Policies and Programmes

v. Education and qualification

vi. Role model to others

vii. Employment generation

viii. Self-Identity and social status

ix. Success stories of friends & relatives

x. Family Occupation

2. Facilitating Factors:

i. Adequate Financial Facilities

ii. Self-satisfaction

iii. Innovative thinking

iv. Network of contacts

v. Co-operation of family

vi. Experienced and skilled people at work

vii. Support of family members

Conclusion

In nutshell entrepreneurship serves as a weapon of female emancipation as it is a strong motive force compelling a woman to become an entrepreneur to lead an independent life with self-confidence and self-respect. The ownership and control of a successful business provides a woman entrepreneur a prestigious status, personal reputation and a sense of independence in the society.