Women Entrepreneurship Development in India

Role of Women in Economic Development is vital to achieve the inclusive growth. Entrepreneurship is one of the means to make involve them in Nation building and Economic Development. Till 1980s, only a very few women took Entrepreneurial activities in India1. In 1980, “New Delhi Declaration and Plan of Action” adopted to emphasize on development of entrepreneurial skills among the women. The decade (1980-1990) witnessed several institutional initiatives towards women entrepreneurship. Its only after the liberalization of Indian economy in 1990s, with the opportunities poured in and along with institutional support, Women entrepreneurship started to flourish. In this paper the concept and classification of Women Entrepreneurs is discussed. The hurdles faced by Women to set up the enterprises and the government schemes for Women Entrepreneurship development are also analyzed. The Success story of few Indian Women Entrepreneurs is narrated in brief. Finally it is concluded that the success of Women Entrepreneurship among City dwelling Upper middle Class Women should also be spread to Women in country side.