Women Entrepreneurship Program launched by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)
About the Program
- It aims to empower 25 lakh women entrepreneurs with skill, knowledge, resources, and financial grants, etc.
- NSDC, with National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), will offer free online self-learning entrepreneurship courses through Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH).
- The NIESBUD and SIDH under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) are engaged in providing training and apprenticeship opportunities.
- NSDC is a not-for-profit public limited company.
Significance of Women Entrepreneurship
- Economic:
- Job creation (women led enterprises could create around 170 million jobs, NITI Aayog),
- Increase in GDP (50% of women in workforce could increase GDP by 1.5%, World Bank) ,
- foster innovative business practices.
- Social:
- Empowerment (breaking gender norms and stereotypes);
- Enhanced education, awareness, and networking opportunities;, etc.
- Political: Policy advocacy, fostering strong women agency.
- Cultural: Participation in traditional crafts and arts can advance India’s cultural heritage
Challenges faced by Women Entrepreneurs in India
- Gender gap in access to finance, male dominated family structure etc.
- Social cultural barriers dual burden of balancing work and traditional gender roles.
- Others: lack of literacy; safety at workplace, access to advanced technology, etc.