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JOSS :

Journal of Social Science

MSME - TRANSFORMING HOMEMAKER TO ENTREPRENEUR:

CHAMPIONS FOR CHANGE

Vijayachandrika C

, Ayu Lestari

Assistant Professor of Economics, Seethalakshmi Achi College for Women, Sivagangai,

Tamil Nadu, India

, STAIKU, Indonesia

Email: [email protected]

KEYWORDS

Challenges,

Champions,

Empowerment,

Entrepreneur,

MSME.

ABSTRACT

India has an equal number of males and females overall. But women are

viewed unfavorably in this complicated modern society as second-class

citizens or as men's property. Women are still behind and have not advanced

to the maximum degree of utilization. The majority of governments make

particular allowances for women's advancement, and they work hard to

maximize the potential of women's skills. The specific services and facilities

that are offered to women in the corporate world have not been fully used.

There is a dearth of successful female business owners. The moment has

come to educate the female population about the chances available to them

to pursue their passions and give back to the community, which may

contribute to the nation's speedy growth. MSMEs (Micro, Small, and

Medium-Sized Enterprises) are crucial to a nation's economic growth. The

entire planet has power. Through its many programs, the Ministry of

MSMEs is empowering female entrepreneurs by assisting them in igniting

their creativity and creating their own identities. In our current society,

women are required to carry out economic activities and support their

families wherever the cost of living rises. Now that attitudes in society have

evolved, working women are no longer despised. An effort was made to

research the position of women entrepreneurs in this report. Current

problems experienced by female entrepreneurs. Additionally, it covers the

assistance offered by MSMEs to female entrepreneurs.

INTRODUCTION

Women's entrepreneurship is significantly underrepresented in India because of the

culture and customs that dictate that they should take care of the home and the family

(Simamora & Saputra, 2023). However, as a result of increased social consciousness and

education over the past three decades, women are now expressing interest in beginning their

businesses. Thus, the number of female entrepreneurs has significantly increased (Noor et al.,

2021).

MSMEs have developed into a significant source of income for women, particularly in

rural areas, in a developing country such as India where labor is inexpensive and capital is

expensive. The day when women were supposed to stay inside the house and be entrusted

with household duties is long gone. Women are now actively pursuing new opportunities and

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putting their best selves forward in society (Ilahi, 2018). Women's entrepreneurship, however,

is a very new and difficult concept. Even though the government has enacted several programs

to aid them, there hasn't been much progress (Meilasari et al., 2023). Entrepreneurship is the

greatest method to stay up with the pace in the present time of economic growth.

It is a time when industrialization is taken into account for national economic progress.

As a result, the MSMEs are focusing more on providing women with significant work

opportunities through a variety of businesses and sectors to address their socio-economic and

employment challenges and uplift them (Jayan, 2013).

Female-led MSMEs are essential for the economy because they create jobs, increase

female involvement, and promote inclusive GDP growth. MSMEs have a direct economic

impact, but research also demonstrates that female-led businesses employ more women and

that more female resource control results in better child health and educational outcomes,

among other socioeconomic advantages (Sivakumar, 2016). To reduce poverty and promote

inclusive growth, women's economic engagement in general and women-led MSMEs in

particular must increase.

MSME

The Ministry of MSME, widely regarded as the nation's economic engine and

entrepreneurial incubator, has emerged as the torchbearer of women's emancipation on a

worldwide scale (Van Cleeff et al., 2005). The Ministry of MSME inaugurated Udyam Sakhi

on the eve of International Women's Day 2018, a network for fostering social

entrepreneurship that develops business models centered around inexpensive goods and

services to address social injustices. The platform serves the requirements of around eight

million Indian women who began or are managing their businesses with its platform for

entrepreneurial endeavors learning tools, a startup incubation facility, fundraising workshops,

advisors, in-person investor meetings, a market analysis facility, and technical assistance. In

a nutshell, the Indian government has been relentlessly working to revolutionize the role of

women outside of the confines of the home. Today's women take risks, have faith in their

goals, and won't accept anything else (Benard & Victor, 2013).

Historical Perspective

The empowerment of women in ancient India takes us to a place of conflicting opinions.

Women in ancient India had the same status as males and may have chosen to get military

training. The tale of (Rani, n.d.) Chowta is a well-known illustration of women's emancipation

in this nation. Following the ratification of the Indian Constitution on January 26, 1950, which

has various laws and parts that clarify the status of women, women's empowerment in India

gained significant impetus. We can measure the impact that women have had on the globe

throughout the years (Vijayachandrika, 2022).

Women Signs of Change

Women no longer live their whole lives in their houses as they formerly did. Similar to

their male coworkers, today's women are building new records of extraordinary

accomplishment via their humor and determination. Women are expanding their

entrepreneurial ventures and breaking into previously untapped fields. The increased number

of employment alternatives currently open to women has been the primary cause of their

upheaval in positions of authority as professionals, executives, and bureaucrats. They have

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now begun to have access to the free market and other economic opportunities. The fact that

so many of them entered non-traditional industries shows that women's entrepreneurship is

still a relatively recent phenomenon, encouraged by long-term goals and initiatives of the

Indian government to restore women's empowerment. Traditional feminine skills are being

turned into a means of livelihood by starting a home-based business that offers textiles,

cooking, needlework, stores, crafts, and numerous other activities. Take a look around you to

see how prevalent women are in public and private offices, business settings, and the

legislature. They are also present in many walks of life, including as authors, scientists, social

activists, performers, and directors.

Thinking Ahead - Connecting Skill to Industry

The Ministry of MSME has established itself as the leading organization addressing the

topic of women entrepreneurship after receiving mammoth applications for its recent

inaugural Conclave on Empowering Marginalised Sections of Female Entrepreneurs (Yadav,

2021). Influencers from all walks of life gathered during the conclave sessions to debate and

reflect on significant themes to highlight the changing role of women entrepreneurs in India

and raise awareness of concerns about hidden injustices. The conclave was a big success

among SC/ST women business owners. On the occasion of International Women's Day in

2019, the Ministry recognized remarkable women achievers and trailblazing female

entrepreneurs who have made significant contributions to their industries. The program aims

to reward women who are choosing to be independent financially while continuing to fulfill

their traditional roles as primary caregivers by overcoming the regressive limitations that

social norms and circumstances have placed on them.

The purpose of this study is to understand the factors that drive homemakers in starting

and running micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME). It includes an analysis of social

support, training, access to capital, and other factors that influence their success as

entrepreneurs. And this research can empower homemakers by realizing their potential as

entrepreneurs. This can increase their self-confidence and independence.

METHOD RESEARCH

The study is exploratory in nature and attempts to decipher the phenomenon of women's

entrepreneurship in an Indian context. The study's secondary data was gathered from yearly

reports of the Indian government's Ministry of MSMEs, as well as from several journals,

newspapers, and white papers on MSMEs (Report, 2017).

MSME - TRANSFORMING HOMEMAKER TO ENTREPRENEUR

Everyone gains when women are empowered because they are the foundation of

society. By helping female entrepreneurs spark their creativity and forge their own identities

through its numerous initiatives, the Ministry of MSME strengthens them as business owners.

As of January 23, 2019, 1.38 lakh businesses were launched by women through the Prime

Minister's Employment Generation Programme Scheme. About 30% of PMEGP projects

were initiated by female entrepreneurs. Under the program's Special Category, female

company owners are eligible for 25% and 35% in subsidies for projects built in urban and

rural areas, respectively. In contrast to the 10% for the general group, beneficiaries'

contributions for women only account for 5% of the project's costs. During 2016–17 and

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2017–18, women entrepreneurs started 30437 businesses through the Khadi Program of

KVIC, receiving an aggregate of 85,305 lakh Rupees in cushion funding.

In addition to MSME, the Indian government has taken other actions to promote the

safety and empowerment of women. Numerous programs have improved the welfare of

women in India, including Mission Indradhanush, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, Mudra Yojana,

Trade Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development Scheme, Mahila Udyam Nidhi,

Annapurna, and Stree Shakti Package for Women Entrepreneurs.

Women in India Led MSMEs

The business sector has developed in India as a result of technological development,

opening the door for sector diversification and making India the third-largest startup

ecosystem globally in terms of size. However, the representation of women in this industry is

still appalling. Women-owned less than 20% of all micro, small, and medium-sized businesses

in India during the fiscal year 2021, as opposed to more than 80% of male-owned businesses

(Dangi, 2014). In addition, women owned the highest percentage of micro-businesses across

all firm sizes, with more of these enterprises operating in rural than urban locations during the

study period (Statista, 2021).

Barriers/ Flipside

Cultural norms are a major source of obstacles to women's empowerment and equity. It

is ironic that a nation, that was just recognized as the first Asian nation to complete its Mars

mission on the first try, is ranked 108th out of 146 nations in the World Economic Forum

gender gap index, unchanged from 2017. Despite having the second-biggest Artificial

Intelligence workforce, India has one of the worst gender disparities, with just 22% of jobs

being held by women, which is equally depressing.

Indian women may find it difficult to achieve their full potential since they must

carefully combine modernity and tradition. Although the Indian government puts out great

effort to raise the socioeconomic position of women, we also have to be aware of the

privileges, programs, and rights that can help them achieve full empowerment. To start or

manage a business, uneducated and semiliterate women entrepreneurs from rural and urban

regions have made use of several government programs in India. The story of two female

entrepreneurs, Priyashri Mani and Nishita Vasanth, who started their own business in Pali

Hills in Kodaikanal (TamilNadu) with loans from the Indian government is a good illustration

of the gradual but sure shift in perspective among those involved in the MSME and startup

ecosystem. The two ramped up their operations by adding more women and eventually

established "Hoopoe," a business for honey gathering, with logistics being the main difficulty,

and the tribe that harvests honey headquartered out of Pali Hills. The article, Bringing Honey

to Your Doorstep, provides insight into the country's emerging female business, where women

are assuming various positions such as rainmakers, change makers, and social capitalists

(Khare, 2019).

More Power and Less Fear

Swami Vivekananda once observed, "only as a bird cannot fly on only one wing, there

is no prospect for the prosperity of the world unless the position of women is changed. The

fact that "Women Empowerment" is included as one of the Eight Millennium Development

Goals further emphasizes the significance of this reality. The #MeToo Movement was born

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as a result of countries all over the world, taking the issue to heart and launching a discourse

regarding sexual assault at the very beginning of the year (Sivakumar & Manimekalai, 2022).

Surprisingly, this campaign turned out to be a topic of conversation at dinner parties all year

long and put accused in jail for justifiable offenses. Following suit, India must also convert

its enormous female workforce into a useful human resource if it is to become a developed

nation, and this can only be done by empowering women.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

In spite of all the challenges that contemporary working women encounter, there has

been a striking increase in female entrepreneurship in India. More women than ever before in

India's history have greater incomes than earlier generations. Women are reaching new

professional heights and are at the forefront of the business sector's expansion of

entrepreneurship and innovative company concepts. There may be a lot of women who want

to work but are unable to do so. Women will require access to the necessary education,

training, credit, information, and, most importantly, drive to overcome the challenges. In India

today, women are a powerful force to be reckoned with. Women need to build an environment

and have confidence in themselves in order to succeed. Education, continual learning, sharing,

mutual support, and—most importantly—the creation of women's support networks are all

ways to achieve this. Even if MSMEs have grown, there is still a need that women

entrepreneurs may fill in order to not only provide steady financial growth but also to remove

socioeconomic obstacles from society. It acts as a reminder for women to embrace and fully

utilize the benefits of the internet and e-commerce. A strong, capable woman may pursue

whatever career she chooses, but as an entrepreneur, she can make a living for many more

people.

CONCLUSIONS

The MSME sector is said to be one such platform that helps turn stay-at-home moms

into entrepreneurs. Women who start their own businesses will not only become independent

but also open up job prospects and reduce crime against women. These days, women are

willing to take risks, confident in their abilities and ambitions, and unwilling to accept

anything less. The number of women running MSMEs in India has steadily climbed up till

now, and we believe that if the government helps them and the community supports them, the

difficulties they are now encountering can be overcome and the growth rate will undoubtedly

improve in the future.

It is clear that Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises are a vital part of India's

economic development (Subramanyam & Reddy, 2012). Women entrepreneurs, who were

once confined to their homes' four walls, are now capable of running both their families and

their businesses. Despite the difficulties and obstacles they must overcome in order to succeed

as an entrepreneur, the government has launched many programs to support the development

of women business owners. Finally, it can be concluded that women business owners and

MSMEs in India have a long way to go and that the success of both groups is crucial to the

overall health of the Indian economy (Vijayachandrika, 2020).

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Vijayachandrika C

, Ayu Lestari

(2023)

First publication right:

JoSS - Journal of Social Science

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