Closing Gender Gaps in Education, Finance & Child Care – Unlocking the Full Potential of Women Entrepreneurship in India

Preview

PDF, English Download (317kB) | Terms of use Download (317kB)

Abstract

The staggeringly low number of women entrepreneurs in India demands for a number of interventions in terms of education, access to finance and child-care options. Considering that women empowerment in itself is valuable and has positive effects on the economy, it is high time to address the gender gaps in education, unequal access to finance and unequal distribution of domestic responsibilities. Evidence shows that there is a clear correlation between women entrepreneurship and factors such as women literacy rates, financial knowledge, owning a bank account – among others. While the largest share of child care falls on women, it can be dealt through adequate infrastructure such as child-care centers. Although the government has taken initiatives on entrepreneurship, few of these target women. Due to the limitations and low status of women in society, these initiatives are mostly unfavorable. Hence, it is now time to amend policies and make them more gender inclusive. This policy brief discusses various interventions, including strategic plans for free and compulsory education advocacy and awareness in partnership with nonprofits, women-specific financial inclusion policies and programs collaborating with the State Bank of India, and establishing child-care centers.