The Role of Government Initiatives on Women Empowerment: The Case of Women Entrepreneurs in India

Abstract

The government's financial support to women is an indispensable strategy for enhancing gender equality and improving women empowerment. Despite the continuing support of the Indian government towards women development and growth in women entrepreneurs, the current status of women is still in a miserable state. Time and again, the government has taken numerous policies initiatives to promote women entrepreneurs with a mindset to empower them holistically. In this paper, the current situation of women's entrepreneurs in the hilly state of India, Himachal Pradesh and the status quo of their empowerment is critically examined using the survey method. Then the study analyses the economic, political and social empowerment of women entrepreneurs separately. The findings of the study highlight that women entrepreneurs have seen a significant change in empowerment after availing the loan, but still, most of them find it uncomfortable or difficult in making decisions related to themselves, family, relatives, financial and society. The study has implications for human resource development's related policies in India and other countries with similar cultural norms.