Woman Entrepreneurship In Assam: Status, Empowerment And Challenges

Abstract

Women, the backbone of emotional support of a family are generally perceived as home makers with little to do with economy or commerce. India being a well male dominated country, women are always considered backward. Social and economic development of women is necessary for the welfare of any society.Entrepreneurship is a powerful tool to empower women because it gives them a sense of economic independence.The Planning Commission of the Government of India  also realized that economic development of country can take place only when women are brought in the mainstream of economic development.As a result, more and more policies have been taken up by the Government for the women entrepreneurial activity especially in medium and small scale enterprises. Consequently there has been considerable growth of women entrepreneurship in Assam too. Women entrepreneurs in Assam are engaged mainly in traditional activities like weaving, knitting, embroidery, tailoring, beauty parlour, readymade garments, jam, jelly and pickle making etc. But in Assam Women entrepreneurs are handicapped in carrying out their entrepreneurial work due to various socio economic constraints. The present study attempts to find out the development of women entrepreneurs in Assam with special reference to Barpeta district and also to find out the challenges faced by the women entrepreneurs and will try to provide suggestion to overcome their problems.