The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) is pleased to introduce the Women Entrepreneurship Programme, a significant step toward empowering women entrepreneurs and promoting economic growth. This initiative strives to address the challenges that women experience in entrepreneurship by providing valuable skills, knowledge, and networking opportunities.
On July 31, 2024, Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, the Secretary of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, announced big steps forward for women’s entrepreneurship. This is mainly through new projects like the Women Entrepreneurship Program, launched by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) in partnership with Britannia Industries.
Collaboration with Ministries
Shri Tiwari highlighted the importance of working together with other ministries, such as Tribal Affairs and Rural Development, to help women entrepreneurs grow. This collaboration aims to give targeted skill training to Women’s Self-Help Groups, helping them start strong businesses.
Women Entrepreneurship Program
The Women Entrepreneurship Program focuses on the unique challenges women entrepreneurs face. It offers free self-learning courses in many languages through the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH). These courses teach important entrepreneurial skills and knowledge. Participants will receive certificates from NSDC, Britannia, and NIESBUD, showing they have gained new skills. The program aims to empower about 2.5 million women, giving them the tools they need for business success.
Financial Grants and Competitions
The program will also feature a finale where the top 50 business ideas will be showcased. Britannia will give ₹10 lakh each to ten standout contestants, encouraging innovation and excellence. The program has two phases:
- Phase 1: The first phase offers self-learning courses.
- Phase 2: The second phase provides support to 10,000 selected candidates, helping them with business model selection, registration, and funding guidance.
NSDC will regularly check how well the program is working to ensure the businesses are sustainable in the long run. This initiative aims to increase the visibility and reach of women-led businesses, creating a supportive environment for their growth.
Significance of Women Entrepreneurship
- Economic:
- Job creation (women led enterprises could create around 170 million jobs, NITI Aayog),
- Increase in GDP (50% of women in workforce could increase GDP by 1.5%, World Bank) ,
- foster innovative business practices.
- Social:
- Empowerment (breaking gender norms and stereotypes);
- Enhanced education, awareness, and networking opportunities;, etc.
- Political: Policy advocacy, fostering strong women agency.
- Cultural: Participation in traditional crafts and arts can advance India’s cultural heritage
Challenges faced by Women Entrepreneurs in India
- Gender gap in access to finance, male dominated family structure etc.
- Social cultural barriers dual burden of balancing work and traditional gender roles.
- Others: lack of literacy; safety at workplace, access to advanced technology, etc.
FAQs
What is the Women Entrepreneurship Program?
The Women Entrepreneurship Program is an initiative aimed at empowering women by providing them with the necessary resources, support, and training to start and grow their own businesses.
Who can participate in the Women Entrepreneurship Program?
The program is designed for women of all ages who have a passion for entrepreneurship and are looking to start or expand their business. It welcomes women from diverse backgrounds and industries.