Name: Prachi , Monika
Country: India

Year: 2023
Volume: Volume-10, Issue-1 (January-June)
Page Number: 123-127

ABSTRACT
The research study revolves around understanding gender-based barriers faced by the women entrepreneurs. The aspiring and existing woman entrepreneurs facing many social and cultural barriers and it make them feel that the men have more rights to look for better job opportunities than the women. The social set up, the mindset of the people around the women entrepreneurs put restrictions on them, they are not allowed to hangout with their friends, they are not allowed to choose their careers or partners. All these stigmas have a great impact on women entrepreneurs and thereby affecting the social innovation in India. A woman entrepreneur tends to employ other women, thereby strengthening the household income of poor households and in turn contributes towards economic empowerment of women, which in turn leads towards gender equality.
This qualitative research tries to understand the phenomenon known as women entrepreneurship by examining the factors influencing women entrepreneurs, their unique features that make them a successful entrepreneur, most preferred sectors for women entrepreneurship, problems faced and the role of government scheme in women entrepreneurship. Data was collected by focus group discussion of 21 entrepreneurs, out of which 16 were men and 5 were women. According to the research, womenentrepreneurs possess certain traits such as resilience, empathy, flexibility, decentralised and team oriented and these are regarded as core strengths of women entrepreneurs. Also, the role of Stand-Up India scheme, MUDRA scheme and Women Entrepreneurship Platform of government of India is highlighted in the study.
The study concludes that an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem with adequate policies and financial support, mentoring and skill development is imperative for women to avail the opportunities of entrepreneurship so as to achieve sustainable socio-economic development of the country.

Keywords: Women Entrepreneurship, Social Innovation, Economic Empowerment, Gender Equality, Government Policies, India.