WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP SCENARIO IN INDIA: A CRITICAL REVIEW OF CHALLENGES AND INITIATIVES

Over the years, entrepreneurship has been a male-dominated phenomenon, but this has changed with women coming to the forefront as inspiring entrepreneurs in the recent times. The developed countries worldwide have witnessed women catching up with men in almost every sphere of business. Thus, the significance of women entrepreneurs in economic development cannot be undermined. In the wake of economic liberalisation and globalisation, women entrepreneurship is also gaining momentum in developing nations like India. The policy framework and institutional structure for building entrepreneurial capacities and providing appropriate education and vocational training have increased women's economic empowerment opportunities. Despite several initiatives undertaken by the Government to promote women entrepreneurship in India, only a small fraction of women has emerged as successful entrepreneurs. The research paper examines the state of women's entrepreneurship in India, as well as the underlying problems and strategies for improving outcomes.