Gender Constraints in Business Start ups: Some Learning

Abstract

Empowerment of women through enterprise establishment and self employment is a time tested model. NGOs and Government agencies have seen this model as one that could help women become economically self reliant. The economic regeneration project, initiated after the 2001 earthquake in Kutch and Saurashtra, saw the establishment of businesses by both men and women. However, the women entrepreneurs had to confront and overcome constraints which were rooted in gender disparities. The enterprises they established were small in size, mostly located within their four walls, were mostly seen to be an extension of their reproductive role and also did not challenge the gender stereotypes. Data obtained during the project were subjected to some simple analysis. The analyses indicate that women experienced certain constraints more than men. The data also reveal poor support of the formal institutional lenders. Women could not obtain the support of these banks even though they showed higher start ups.