Constraints And Challenges Faced By Women Entrepreneurs In Emerging Market Economy And The Way Forward

Abstract

It is well acknowledged fact thatentrepreneurship is an engine of economic growth and social development. Women entrepreneurship though has been growing around the world, but the evidences suggest that women entrepreneurscontinue to be adversely affected by the numerous socio-economic issues in the male dominated business societies, which hugely undermine the morale of women entrepreneurs.The current study was taken up to investigate the working of twenty sevenwomen entrepreneurs working on micro and small levels, in different areas of Uttar Pradesh (India), who have created employment opportunities for thousands of people living at grass root level and also created new prospects for the rural artisans in theirregion.  The study aims to explore the various the obstacles faced by the women entrepreneurs working in different areas of Uttar Pradesh (India),analyze the impact of the prevailing constraints and challenges on the progress of these women entrepreneurs, and recommend the aspects that he to be looked into by the policy makers, to address the issues and challenges. It is also anticipated that the findings will bring to light valuable insights, which might be used by the policymakers, organization and institutions who intend to assist more and more entrepreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs, to venture into businesses. The study revealed multifarious constraints and challenges faced by the women during their entrepreneurial journey. In the current study we have tried to classify these constraints into four broad categories: Socio-Cultural Issues; Economic Issues; Psychological Issues and Managerial Issues.