The Role of Women in Achieving Viksit Bharat 2047 through Economic Independence and Entrepreneurship.

Abstract

  Women’s economic autonomy has become a cornerstone of inclusive and sustainable development in India. In recent decades, women’s engagement in entrepreneurial activities has grown steadily, influenced by structural transformations in the economy, improved access to education, supportive public policies, and the expansion of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This paper explores how entrepreneurship enables women to attain economic independence, highlighting their role in job creation, enhancement of household well-being, poverty alleviation, and overall economic development. It examines key socio-economic and institutional determinants shaping women’s entrepreneurial participation, such as financial accessibility, skill enhancement, digital empowerment, prevailing social norms, and government-led initiatives including Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Mudra Yojana, Start-Up India, and Stand-Up India. The paper also addresses the ongoing barriers faced by women entrepreneurs, including gender-based discrimination, restricted access to markets, the burden of unpaid care work, and regulatory challenges. By positioning women-led enterprises as drivers of self-reliance and socio-economic change, the study contends that promoting women’s entrepreneurship is vital for advancing economic justice, strengthening resilience, and realizing the objectives of Atmanirbhar Bharat. The paper concludes with policy suggestions aimed at fostering a supportive ecosystem through integrated financial inclusion, capacity building, technological advancement, and enabling social support systems for women entrepreneurs in India.