A STUDY ON PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN WAYANAD DISTRICT OF KERALA STATE
Women Entrepreneurs are inspiring. An entrepreneur is someone that organizes, manages, and assumes the risk of a business enterprise. Today, more women are breaking free from the traditional, gender-specific roles and venturing into the business world. Not only are they holding high corporate positions but they are also successful women entrepreneurs .The steady rise in female entrepreneurs can be due to many different reasons, most of which share the same rational as their male counterparts—passion for their ideas, the desire to become their own boss, and the need to address philanthropic causes. The educated Indian women have to go a long way to achieve equal rights and position because traditions are deep rooted in Indian society where the sociological set up has been a male dominated one. Despite all the social hurdles, Indian women stand tall from the rest of the crowd and are applauded for their achievements in their respective field. The transformation of social fabric of the Indian society, in terms of increased educational status of women and varied aspirations for better living, necessitated a change in the life style of Indian women. She has competed with man and successfully stood up with him in every walk of life and business is no exception for this. These women leaders are assertive, persuasive and willing to take risks. They managed to survive and succeed in this cut throat competition with their hard work, diligence and perseverance. Women have been successful in breaking their confinement within the limits of their homes by entering into varied kinds of professionals and services women entrepreneurs have proved to be on par with their men counterparts in business acumen and are emerging as smart and dynamic entrepreneurs. Women owned businesses are highly increasing in the economies of almost all countries.
Rural Women Empowerment in India
A Rural woman is the nucleus of the family, particularly, in rural India. She not only collects water, fuelwood, fodder and food but also plays a significant role in preserving the culture, grooming the children and shaping their destiny. Therefore, our Founder, Late Dr. Manibhai Desai always emphasized that although women represent only 50% of the total population, they contribute 75% to the development of our society while men contribute only 25%. Unfortunately, in spite of their laudable and vulnerable roles, which cannot be substituted by machine or men, women have been neglected since generations. This is happening inspite of a rural woman being recognized by our ancient saints and culture as not merely a mother but as a superior scholarly Institution. It is said in Manu Samhita (Chapter II, Para 145) Upadhyaayan- dasacarya acarryanam satam pita; Sahasram tu pitrnmata gauraveratiricyate. "A Guru who teaches Veda is 10 times superior to an ordinary teacher and the father is 100 times more than a teacher, but the Mother is 1000 times more superior than the father".
Dealing with Poverty: Self-Employment for Poor, Rural Women
PART ONE The Perspective on Self-Employment The Context of the Study Common Infrastructural Issues Common Social Issues Trade Group Descriptions Common Economic Issues Planning Interventions PART TWO Case Studies