In the modern society of India, the status of women is a paradox. There were fluctuations in it through ages. Only men are contributing to societal changes by paying taxes.
Lately, there is an increase in the number of women entrepreneurs in India. A large number of a woman working are home-based micro-entrepreneurs. However, the percentage remains extremely low as compared to men entrepreneurs. These micro-firms can sustain only female workers and their families.
Working Women in Rural Area
In rural society, there are working women classified as women entrepreneurs. If a woman working in the farm sector and workers are working under her, then she is considered an entrepreneur. But due to the patriarchal society, the responsibilities of the family and children conjures with her. It restricts her from exploring the outer world and prevents her from making strategies that she can use to grow her business.
Also, within every business sector, there is the gender division of labor for managing and undertaking responsibilities in livestock, crops, or other technical work.
The challenges that restrict a woman to gain acknowledgment in society as a working woman:
· Patriarchy– It is a kind of society’s system where the older male of the family dominates social, political, economic, legal, and cultural roles. Only, male upholds the responsibility of the female and children of the family. In most cases, women of the family do only the household chores where they are shut out from societal realities.
· Lack of education– India is mostly in rural areas where illiteracy prevails. In rural India, girls or women are only supposed to take the responsibilities of the house. However, education becomes the second priority to fulfill. Whereas, boys or men are supposed to do the outside duties. Due to this type of mindset up the education of women is neglected.
· Lack of training– Rural women are unaware of training for the skills they want to develop for their business or firm. They cannot access the benefits of income-generating opportunities and improve their confidence. Self-employed women are counted in the entrepreneur’s group in many rural areas, and they have difficulty attaining training and education.
· Overload– Indeed, women in India work more than men, but nobody admits this. Due to the burden of household work, there is no time to think about doing something creative. Also, household chores are never included in the work. In rural India, it is considered that only men works and only men can work.
· Lack of confidence– Many women think that it is a shameful deed to work women outside. And the male head of the family is strictly against women working out. The picturesque of feminity and masculinity create a difference in the mentality and behavior of women in society.
· Societal shackles– Generally, the woman’s family does not allow them to go anywhere they want to. There is no right to free movements; they always have to seek permission from the head of the family or have to take them along.
Gender ideologies often fuel up the male power of society and the idea of women’s inferiority. Therefore, not only should women stand against the complex status of women in India, but society must also take the initiative against it.
Ideology of men over women
Even culture sometimes works as fluid and enduring. Dominant cultures influence the position of those with economic, political, social power. And, therefore, this varies from individual to individual that they believe in male domination or not.
Also, the male head of the family should read newspapers or books or even watch programs or films featuring the concept of women empowerment. And the changes that a woman can bring to society and her family. It says when you educate a female, you educate the whole society.
Skills development is the key to improve household productivity, employment, and money earning opportunities for women. It also helps in learning new technologies and production practices. Nowadays, information and communication technologies supported by the right policies and institutional framework. Provide a lot of opportunities to learn skills from home. Along with this, they are also spreading awareness related to women’s rights, services, resources, and social protection.
Conclusion
Women are on a voyage of gaining equal status with men. The distance between men and women is decreasing in the world of entrepreneurs. Now this will only improve. Women must not feel inferior to the men; instead, they should remember that only a woman can manage a home and make it worth living.
For all the women out there, motivate yourself to chase your dreams and, nothing can stop you.
Penned by Piyali Das
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