Women Empowerment Towards SME's Development in India: A Report

This report investigates the significant contribution of women empowerment to the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in India. It begins by outlining the research aim, objectives, and questions, setting the stage for an in-depth analysis of women's role in the Indian economy, particularly within the SME sector. The research explores the concept of women empowerment, its importance, and the specific role of small-scale industries in empowering women in India. It analyzes the SME industry environment, identifies challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, and examines best practices for female-owned SMEs. The rationale highlights the increasing number of women entrepreneurs and their impact on the economy. The significance emphasizes the research's contribution to understanding women's role in SME development and addressing issues faced by women entrepreneurs, ultimately contributing to the economic growth of India. The report also references various government initiatives to empower women in managing SMEs and promoting their skills and knowledge. The study underscores SMEs as a pathway for women empowerment, requiring smaller investments and offering financial independence. The research aims to provide insights into the dynamic nature of the SME sector and its importance in India's economic development.

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT TOWARDS
SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISE’S
DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA: THE
CONTRIBUTION OF WOMEN IN
DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA'S ECONOMY
WITHIN SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE
INDUSTRIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Research Title..............................................................................................................................1
Research Aim...............................................................................................................................1
Research Objectives.....................................................................................................................1
Research Questions......................................................................................................................1
Research Background..................................................................................................................1
Rationale of the Research............................................................................................................2
Significance of the Research........................................................................................................2
Scope of the Research..................................................................................................................3
LITERATURE REVIEW ...............................................................................................................4
Understanding about women empowerment ..............................................................................4
Need and significance of women empowerment ........................................................................5
Role of small-scale industries in women empowerment in India ...............................................7
SMEs industry environment in India in context of women ........................................................8
Best practices for female owned SME's in India ......................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Research Title
Title of this research project is: Contribution of women empowerment towards SME’s
development in India.
Research Aim
Main aim of this research is “To explore the contribution of women empowerment
towards SME’s development in India.
Research Objectives
Research objective is main part of a research paper because entire activities of research is
depending on them. This research is split into two variables which is dependent and independent
(Bos and Millone, 2015). According to the topic, SEMs development in India is dependent
variable which is depend on contribution of women entrepreneur. There are some essential and
useful objectives related with the research aim are determined as under:
 To extend understanding about Women empowerment.
 To explore Role of women in Small-Scale Industries in Andhra Pradesh
 To analyse the favourability of SME industry environment to Women.
 To identify the challenges faced by women and examine best practices for female owned
SME's
Research Questions
Research question is also considered important and useful part for research which is
mainly based on research objectives. There are some research questions which are determined as
under:
 What are the basic phenomena about Women empowerment?
 Does the SME environment favour women?
 Are there challenges limiting women in contributing to SME?
 What the knowledge about the best practices for female owned SME’s?
Research Background
SME or Small Medium Enterprises plays a vital role in economic development of a
country (Calman, 2019). Their role in terms of production, generation and contribution of
employment not only helps in improving the economic condition of a country but also helps in
reducing unemployment within a country. For Indian economy also SME are equally important.
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It has been observed that nowadays contribution of women are also increasing i.e. today a greater
number of women’s are starting to work or start their own business. In each and every sector a
greater number of women are engaging themselves in performing different kinds of jobs at
different levels. From top to bottom i.e. at each level women are participating in equal number as
compared to men. Other than working as an employee, women are also giving a tough
competition to male entrepreneurs. Even in India number of women entrepreneurs are increasing.
If only SME’s are focused them it can be said that SME has a greater number of Women
entrepreneurs as compared to make entrepreneurs (Ramadani, Gerguri-Rashiti and Fayolle,
2015) . Contribution of Women entrepreneurs is playing a vital role in development of countries
like India. But there is another side of this fact which focuses on all kinds of issues or problems
that are faced by Women in starting their own business-like financial problems, human resource
problem etc. All of these issues are impacting growth of women entrepreneurs due to which
participation of women entrepreneurs in SME is decreasing continuously. It is very crucial for
both the developed and developing countries whether they are small as well as medium they
always represent the economic development model that la emphasis on the high contribution
regarding domestic production,employment generation , effective contribution regarding the
foreign exchanges earning to the country regrading low import operations called imperative
operations (Garikipati and et.al., 2017). SMEs sector also emerged as a vibrant as well as
dynamic sector regarding economy. The Indian economy is more expected to grow 9 percent per
annum until 2020 and also becomes the largest within the world. It can be ahead to the United
states by 2051 as well as third largest after the United States and China by 2032. In order to
understand the influence the SMEs within Indian economy is that they must study the trend as
well as pattern tat can be prevalent within the prevalent year. These Medium and Small
enterprises consider as the backbone in general and secondary sector of an economy. For
developing countries such as India ,they are known as panacea regarding various economic woes
such poverty,inequalities,poverty ,regional barriers.
These MSMEs played a great role as well as assuring the socialist goals such as women
empowerment balance regional development and also envisaged through planners immediately
after the independence. It found to be more efficient to provide the women employment
opportunities relatively at lower cost (Ramadani, Gerguri-Rashiti and Fayolle, 2015). The
women working here are relatively. Indian economy is growing rapidly at high pace. It is
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because of rise in number of SME’s that are highly contributing in GDP of nation. In present
times, a large number of SME’s has emerged in India. They belong to different sectors and are
operating successfully (Garikipati and et.al., 2017). Moreover, women are also engaged in
managing business. They are working at high position like managers, CEO, etc. Moreover,
government has taken various initiatives as well to empower women in managing SME’s. it has
enabled in educating women and motivating them to work in SME’s. through SME’s women are
able to gain skills and knowledge. They are now able to manage business effectively and become
independent. SMEs as better pathway for women empowerment is that these industries requires
small amount of investment. Thus women with good business skills can also make investment
can generate profitability making them financially self regulating (Ramadani, Gerguri-Rashiti
and Fayolle, 2015) . The small scale industries are also crucial as it can improve growth as well
increase productivity.
Rationale of the Research
Rationale of the Research
Present research is based upon importance of women entrepreneur in growth and
development of India (Calvi, Lewbel and Tommasi, 2017). The main reason behind choosing
this as a research topic is that today number of women entrepreneurs are increasing in business
world with is playing a vital role in development of countries like India. This research is
important to understand the way in which role of women can be increased in development of a
country and what role does SME plays in increasing women empowerment (Qureshi, Khan and
Uprit, 2016). In order to increase women empowerment in business world small and medium
enterprise plays a vital role. This is the main reason because of which this topic has been chosen
as this research will help the research in identify the role of women entrepreneurs in small
medium enterprise in development of a country like India (Afshar, 2016). Other than this there
is another reason because of which this topic has been chosen is academic interest of researcher
so that the research can improve their research skills in a better and appropriate manner.
Women play a vital role in the running and functionality of the nation by making their
contribution in various fields such as politics where they contribute their efforts at times being
President, Prime Minister of India, Leader of Opposition and Speaker of Lok Sabha. States in
India such as Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal pradesh, Uttrakhand, Andra Pradesh, Himachal
Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerla, Orissa, Maharashtra, Tripura and Rajasthan
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have initiated implementation of 50% reservation of women in PRIs. Panchayats hold eneromous
number of members. Kodaserry Panchayat in Kerala have 100% elected it's members as women's
as currently there are 2 chief ministers of India are female along with 12 out of 29 states and
union territory of Delhi have at least one female Chief Minister.
Recruitment of women for non medical post for Indian Army Forces began positioning in
1992. From 2013 Border Security Forces (BSF) began recruitment of women where in year 2017
Tanushree Pareek is the first female combat officer commissioned by BSF game women the
freedom to serve for the nation and express their patriotism in efficient and effective ways.
Where government embedded several law's for their protection and safety such as
Guardians & Wards Act, 1890, Indian Panel Code, 1860, Christian Marriage Act, 1872, Indian
Evidence Act, 1872, Married Women's Property Act, 1874, Workmen's compensation Act, 1923,
Indian Succession Act, 1925, Immoral Traffic Act, 1956, Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961,
Commission of Sati Act, 1987, Cinematography Act, 1952, Births, Deaths & Marriage
Registration Act, 1886, Minimum Wages Act, 1948, Prevention of children from sexual offences
Act, 2012, Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929, Muslim Personal Law Application, 1937,
Indecent Representation of Women Act, 1986, Special marriage Act, 1954, Hindu marriage Act,
1955, Hindu Succession Act, 1956, Foreign marriage Act, 1969, Family Courts Acts, 1954,
maternity Benefit Act, 1961, Hindu Adoption & Maintenance Act, 1956, Code of Criminal
Procedure Act, 1973, Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, National Commission for
Women Act, 1990, Pre-conception and pre-natal diagnostic techniques, protection of women
from domestic violence act, 2005, sexual harassment of women at workplace act, 2013, Indian
divorce Act, 1969, Equal Remuneration Act, 1976, Hindu Widows Remarriage Act, 1856 and
Muslim women act, 1986.
India in today's time is facing low life expectancy of their women compared to that of
other countries in the world which is gradually improving but is a major concern for the nations.
Women and girls of rural culture are facing nutritional deficiencies and are mostly malnourished
where poor nutrition practices during pregnancy led to complications during birth where 42% of
the delivery process happen under supervision of expert whereas other 58% occur with the
support of elder women in the house along with many other un professional members of the
family who lack knowledge about pregnancy.
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Indian Air Force also recruits women for combat and support roles. During Kargil war
Gunjan Saxena was the first supporting sorties whereas Deepika Mishra in 2006 was first IAF
woman pilot received training for Sarang display team. Whereas Nivedita Chodhary 2012 was
first women from Indian Air Force to summit Mount Everest. Whereas further the year 2015
added women as fighter pilots, adding their roles of helicopter pilots for Indian Air Force. The
year 2015 added 1500 women that include 94 pilots along with 14 navigators where wing
commander Shaliza Dhami was the first female officer having permanent commission with
Indian Air Force where Minty Agarwal squadron leader was the first women receiving Yudh
Seva Medal. Further Dr. Punita Arora in 1968 became second Indian women promotes as three
star ranker after Lt. General Punita Arora. Dr. Seema Rao Indian Wonder Women first Indian
woman commander trainer who have trained 15000 special forces in India served for 20 years
consequently without compensation as close quarter battle. Further women are serving in central
reserve police force, central industrial security force, border security force, sashastra seema bal,
Indo Tibetian border force. Further they are also accountable to serve in national security guard,
special protection group, railway protection force, national disaster response force. Women in
Indian Cost Guard, Assam Rifles and Special Frontier Force where Indian Coast Guard on
January 2017 deployed four female officers for combat roles namely commandants Anuradha
Shukla, Sneha Kathyat, Shirin Chandran and Vasunshara Chouskey in Indian maritime bordering
Bangladessh and Pakistan.
Significance of the Research
Significance plays a vital role in a research as it helps in explaining which the particular
research is important to be done. It also helps in understanding who will be the users of the
research who can benefit for this particular research (Garikipati and et.al., 2017). This research
contributes in understanding role of women empowerment in SME’s in development of a
country like India. This research also benefits the researcher in understanding contribution of
Women in development of a country, issues or barriers that are faced by women entrepreneurs,
Role of Small-Scale Industries in Women empowerment in India, SMEs industry environment in
India in respect of Women, best practices for female owned SME’s in India (Ramadani, Gerguri-
Rashiti and Fayolle, 2015) . This research study will help all the women entrepreneurs to
understand the way in which SME’s can help in empowerment of women in development of a
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country like India. With the help of this research study women entrepreneurs can understand the
way in which they can overcome their issues or problem that are faced by them.
This research has evaluated the ways in which the women has come up with the growth
and development of themselves which has aimed for the development of small enterprise. The
roles and functions has developed the quality and increased the status of the women. This has
developed the level of equality among the development of women workers which has increased
the significant value of the women workers which has aimed for the development of female
workers. As there is a growth of women in gender equality this has increased a significant value
of the workers (Qureshi, Khan and Uprit, 2016). This research has showed the how women
workers has developed in India, many of the women workers are the owners of many small-scale
business. Many of the women workers has grown as an entrepreneur. Which has brought equality
among the workers and provided am equal status to the women.In Indian economy it is necessary
to find out role of women as entrepreneur and in SME’s. This is because in recent times, women
are highly involved in starting their own business and contributing in other SME’s. Women are
competing with men in making a business successful. They are offering new ideas and strategies.
Furthermore, women participation in business has increased. They are working as managers in
various SME’s. Thus, it has transformed the growth of SME’s. Therefore, it has resulted in
empowering women and there is high rise in their participation in business. Furthermore, study
emphasis on why there is rise in women in SME and its growth. India is nation where there is
gender inequality. Also, most of SME are managed by men. This study will throw light on how
women are playing vital role as entrepreneur. Also, it will reflect how in social, economic, etc.
way women are contributing in SME’s. beside this, research will provide stats and raw data on
women role in making SME’s successful and expanding in other markets (Buckley and Perlman,
2018). Alongside it, how small business enterprises growth and development is done through
effective strategies and goals.
Scope of the Research
The data was collected in the form of questionnaire through a survey which helped the
researcher to collect required data with survey questions so that analysis of the data can be done
in a convenient manner (Buckley and Perlman, 2018). Inductive approach used by research will
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help them in reaching to the conclusion by accumulating more appropriate information about the
research topic. This research paper has been done in the best possible manner with least errors or
issues or least number of limitations. Despite of these limitations this research is appropriate
enough to demonstrate in depth analysed information that can be used in future in understanding
women role in development of a country. In future this research can be used by all the women
entrepreneurs in order to participate in development of their country. Other than this, this
research can also be used by many other researchers in order to understand the way in which
they can carry out a research with limited number of flaws or issues or limitations and reach to a
conclusion with appropriate analysis. Basically it defines what the study is and what it has to
focus on . As a research person have to be more careful what to define such as general purposes
of the study,Population as well sample about the studying. The topics as well as theories that
researcher does and also geographical location covered within the study. Research can be
conducted to know as well as learn new technologies, innovation,new developments such as
method to know the women role in various decision-making process as women are strongest in
decision-making . Research done to get the complexity,characteristics,social,feasibility as well as
viability. SMEs are important for economic and social reasons as they give employments to a
large number of Indian citizens. SME are more important to developing countries like India
where the gap between rich and poor is large (Qureshi, Khan and Uprit, 2016).. SME contribute
to Indian economy not only in development but also with the job creations in the country with
comparatively lower cost of capital than huge industries and corporates. The main factors which
are affected by SME are poverty, inequality and unemployment. SME have helped India during
the time of the financial crisis with providing employment opportunities to a large individuals.
SME is very much known for the employment opportunities it provides to the local communities
which mainly include unskilled and skilled workers who do not get employment in large
organisations. It also brings growth and innovation into the business thereby nurturing the local
communities. One of the most important contribution of SMEs was the promotion of balanced
economic development (Buckley and Perlman, 2018). These small enterprises provide a cushion
for the socialistic goals of income equality and regional development. When these SMEs are set
up in the local areas of a region/state, they are also industrializing the rural and backward areas
and helping them moving and uplifting them toward a better condition and improving the
standard of living of rural area people. SME also provide backup to the bigger organisations by
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doing their outsourced work at cheaper costs. This help the bigger organisation to invest in
developing country like India which in turn increases the gross domestic product (GDP) of India,
which is of the key indicators of economic development for a country. So SME plays an
important role in developing the economy of the country. SME is considered to be the most
dynamic sector for the growth of Indian economy, as SME deals with a large amount of dynamic
products. SME has been running Indian economy for more than 50 years and now more and
more people are setting up their business in the SME sectors (Qureshi, Khan and Uprit, 2016).
In the previous 3 years have been, Indian economy has been drastically changed with the help of
SMEs. Government has introduced policy like make in India, skill India to encourage and
support SMEs. Digital India is also helping the small players get aligned with m-payments and e-
commerce. Government initiative that have majorly affected the SMEs are offering credit for
technology upgrades, helping manufacturing units with national competitiveness program,
helping SMEs ton grow further in foreign markets. SME contribute to around 45% of the India's
total GDP. In India around 46 crores people i.e., almost 35% of the India's total population. So,
the importance of SME's are much more then these number to the well being of India.Role of
SMEs in the well-being of India is not only participating directly or indirectly in the mainstream
economy, but also to act as a panacea for economic woes like poverty, unemployment, income
inequality and regional imbalances (Buckley and Perlman, 2018). So SMEs has been playing an
important role in developing the economic growth of India. This research will help other scholars
with the data which is carried out for the development small-scale enterprise. Various
opportunities are created which has helped women to develop within the organisation.
Increasing workforce of female workers will improve the development of women and create an
opportunities for the women empowerment. This research is carried out to evaluate the
development of the women workers in the national economic growth which aims in the
development of the small enterprise. This reflects the working scenario of the women in the
society. This research will improve the working conditions in which government of India will
motivate women workers and increase the growth of women. This research also elaborates the
future of women workers which will help many small enterprise with the data interpreted in this
research, which will help in increasing liabilities of the women any help to improve the skills and
track their development (Ramadani, Gerguri-Rashiti and Fayolle, 2015) . The small scale
industires are crucial for the incresing job oppoerutnies as well as ecomonic development .It
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enhaces the growth through enahcing rural and urban growth.The issues like
Slums,povert ,polutions as well as many development acts .If amount of capital is invested
wthim small countries helps to reduce unemployment within india so that it enahces economic
development within india .The industry within a sector that produces goods within a segment.
Woman in small scale industries need a realtively smaller amount than the needed large scale
industries (Buckley and Perlman, 2018). .Another attraction calls for a great deal regarding
development as well as managment. Thses small scale industries are crucial relatively low
porpeotion as well as material compared with total amount rgeding capital used. These are the
quick investment type that needed investment of capital as well as start of the flow of produced
goods. (Qureshi, Khan and Uprit, 2016).Small and medium size enterprise has a huge impact on
the economy of India. These enterprises have been engage in creating employment opportunities
for people. It has helped them in enhancing their lifestyle and standard of living. SMEs in India
contribute around 17 per cent to the country's GDP. They also make a significant contribution to
India's exports and industrial output at 40 per cent and 45 per cent respectively. It has supported
them in enhancing their economic output. It has helped the company in growing. It has also
created opportunities for the people who are under-developed. Their capacity for innovation and
flexibility in a fast changing business environment makes them crucial for success.
The small and medium size enterprise has also brought up innovation and creativity. This has
helped the people in improving their livi8ng standard. The small size enterprise has the
employees between 10-25 employees. They have turnover of 25 lakhs. The medium size industry
has also the workers between 20-30. They have made invested 50 lakh in the industry. They
make a large amount of profit. It has helped them in growing. It has also enhance the economy in
India. It has supported small and medium size enterprise in achieving their goals and objectives.
They have created employment opportunities up to 42.50 million. This has helped the country
like India in growing. It has also supported them in enhancing the gross domestic income. They
have also increased the national and international income of the country. It has supported them in
growing.
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LITERATURE REVIEW
Understanding about women empowerment
Understanding about women empowerment
According to Kapila, Singla and Gupta, (2016) women empowerment is defined as the
process or changes in the ways through which role and functions of women are elaborated and
recreated in specific circumstances in which their role was denied previously. All around the
world the role of women is dedicated mostly to their families and societies only and is not
expected to extend deeply into business or economic. However, for developing strong economy
it is necessary that women must be empowered completely so that they can take part in economic
life as well and contribute theirs skills, knowledge and efficiencies. Women empowerment is
also helpful in enhancing quality of life for all social members along with sustainability and
development. These practices involve practices for women where they can be home workers,
small producers, informal worker, markets, distributors, contractors, suppliers, designers where
women owned enterprises focus on making improvement towards premium markets, further their
role as a leader in business as well as communities will ensure involvement of women in senior
management will ensure they will develop 8-13 % higher returns when they are associated and
being made part of management, further as practices being women employees generate 15% and
above returns above national industry means along with enhancement of women in enterprise
will justify good image of company highlighting effective working conditions along with making
influences in policy making and markets resulting in increased profits with their efforts in
emerging market conditions.
As per the view of Calvi, Lewbel and Tommasi, (2017) private sectors offers greater
opportunity and contribution in empowerment of women's. This can be accomplished by
applying empowerment principles in market, community, workplace and all other segments of
business. It has been also analysed that for promoting sustainable development women
empowerment is a necessity. This approach is considered to be an essential milestone in
establishing gender equality for the development of humanity for other human practices. In
various cultures, political, social and economic institutions gender bias is quite evident. The
abuse and unacceptable level of discrimination prohibits the development and contribution of
women in decision making. Financial dependency over men is one of the most dominating factor
which encourages discrimination and abusive behaviour towards women affecting their mental
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