Entrepreneurship and Empowerment: A Study of RuralWomen Entrepreneurs in Pune Region

Abstract

Women fromrural area though educated or less educated, are unable to find employment. It is entrepreneurship that paves the path of development of these women in particular and society in general. The study considers women from rural area of the Pune region of Maharashtra turning into entrepreneurs. The study portrays a picture of transformation in the personality, economic and social status of women entrepreneurs from rural area of Pune region. An attempt to profile the same with the development of an index is done in the present paper. The study concludes that there is a marked change in the personality, the economic and the social status of women. Elevated family and social status bring about changes in rural woman’s life. Power over economic resources and participation in decision making is making them more confident and that is the women empowerment in true sense. The results are found to be statistically significant. However, the fact remains that skills, earnings, honour, work efficiency and even the elevated economic status of women entrepreneurs need not necessarily change the approach of society towards women. The male dominance in society is reluctant to change their attitude towards women.