Study on Urban Women Owned Micro Enterprises in Thanjavur

Abstract

This study on urban women enterprises is an attempt to analyse the socio economic background and their problems in running their business, factors which have contributed to their entry etc. it was been designed to compare the existing women entrepreneurs in the EDP trained women and their entrepreneurial performance were analyzed in terms of investment, profit and income. 40 women entrepreneurs were identified to be trained by EDP Thanjavur district industries centre since 2003. As the number has been limited, further sampling has been done, but complete enumeration was made. However, only 20 were able to respond. The existing 110 women entrepreneurs were identified by surveying each and every enterprise of which only 90 had answered. Accordingly, 90 existing women entrepreneurs and 20 EDP trained were interviewed. Conclude the sample women felt little improved in their perception on education of the children, age of marriage, sending girls outside for education, socialization of girls in general and participation women decision making affairs of the household. However, in various aspects like equal share in family properly, abandoning dowry system, abolishing socio-cultural practices which encourages the gender division of labour, socialization of boys and girls such that girls are prepared for marriage since birth and boys for earning, etc., sample women are still to go a long way. Hence these women must be given gender sensitization. NGOs working mainly in the information sector own initiate the process, in empowering these women in the informal sector.