1 www.ssijmar.in

ROLE OF MICRO ENTERPRISES IN WOMEN EMPOWERMENT - A CASE STUDY OF

ANDHRA PRADESH

Dr. Radha Rani Kothakalla*

*University College for Commerce & Business Management, Osmania University, Hyderabad,

Radha_3_2006@yahoo.co.in, Mobile no: 9985378683

ABSTRACT

You can tell the condition of a nation by looking at the status of its women - Jawaharlal Nehru

The growth of any nation certainly is linked to the pace and growth of entrepreneurship of that nation. For

Development of micro-enterprises at grass-root level means amelioration of several socio-economic

problems stemming from poverty and unemployment. Entrepreneurship has been acknowledged to be one

of the essential factors determining the growth of industry of any country. The present paper focuses on

entrepreneurial aspects of Self Help Groups in Andhra Pradesh like enterprise promotion, reasons for

involved in micro enterprises and not involved in micro enterprises are analyzed by Self Help Group,

region and caste wise empowerment. Political empowerment has very little impact on the part of promotion

of enterprise. It is necessary that, Government have to take necessary steps to provide sufficient financial

support to the groups to increase their economy. There is a need for training programme to the members to

undertake enterprise activity. There are Self Help Groups, region, caste-wise women empowerment

differences in the involved and not involved micro enterprises.

Key words: Micro enterprises, Self Help Groups, Women empowerment.

SHIV SHAKTI

International Journal in Multidisciplinary and Academic Research (SSIJMAR)

Vol. 2, No. 2, March-April (ISSN 2278 – 5973)

2 www.ssijmar.in

INTRODUCTION

The strength of the chain is the strength of its weakest link. In a society, women are the weakest

links, so that they may be strengthened for strengthening the society as a whole and that is possible

only by empowering them like, not possible for a bird to fly on one wig “. There is no chance for the

welfare of the world unless the condition of the women is improved. Therefore, women

empowerment plays a vital role in the progress of a family, community, nation and the world as a

whole. In most of the developing countries greater emphasis has been laid on the need for

development of women and their active involvement in the main stream of development. Self help

moment through savings has been taken up as a mass movement by women. Developmental agenda

of the state in the last few years keeping view especially women in the fore front has enabled the

formation of a large number of Self Help Groups(SHGs) throughout the state and majority women

are saving a rupee per day. Empowered women could make their own contribution to the quality of

life and eradication of absolute poverty and contribute to economic growth by rising the quality and

skill of the work force.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Entrepreneurship has been the indispensable factor contributing for the development of many

countries. C.B.Gupta,(2002) in his view , Entrepreneur has been defined in the traditional literature

as a person who undertakes business and bears associated risk, innovative ability, high need

achievement, and religious belief, socially good and economic background.

The growth of any nation undoubtedly is linked to the pace and growth of entrepreneurship of that

nation. Entrepreneurship has been acknowledged to be one of the essential factors determining the

growth of industry of any country. Many studies evidence that entrepreneurship development and

economic development are very closely inter-related. Women of today are in several ways different

from the women of yester years. During the present times, they seek social and economic

independence and are prepared to take risk for the same1.

T.R.Gurumoorthy, (2000) discussed about today‟s world is changing at startling pace, political and

economic transformations seem to be occurring everywhere – as countries concert from command to

demand economics, dictatorships move toward democracy, and monarchies build new civil

institutions. These changes have created economic opportunities for women who want to own and

operate business. Today, women in advanced market economics own more than 25 percent of all

business. In some regions of the world, transformation to a market economy threatens to sharpen

gender inequality. Some of these changes are simply the legacy of a gender imbalance that exited

prior to political and economic reform. Other changes reflect a return to traditional norms and

values that relegated women to a secondary status. As countries become more democratic, gender

inequalities lessen: thus, offering a more productive atmosphere for both sexes2.

T.R.Gurumoorthy, (2000) revealed that, Rural entrepreneurship plays a vital role in the national

economy. Self Help Group (SHG) undertakes entrepreneurial activities at smaller level with

minimum capital requirements. The women led SHGs have successfully demonstrated how to

3 www.ssijmar.in

mobilize and manage thrift, appraise credit needs and enforce financial self discipline. SHGs have

the potential to ignite socio-economic revolution in rural India3.

C.B.Gupta,(2002) discussed that , entrepreneurship, like many other economic concepts, has long

been debated. It has been used in various ways and in various senses. It is an elusive concept that

cannot be defined precisely. The word „entrepreneurship‟ has been derived from a French root,

which means „to undertake‟. Today, people call it by various names, e.g. „adventurism‟, „risk

taking‟, „thrill seeking‟, „innovating‟, etc4

In the words of Samwel Kakuko Lopoyetum,(2003) that , entrepreneurship development deals with

human resources, motivation, skills, competencies and social and economic risks. It develops

entrepreneurs through systematic Entrepreneurship Development Programmes and developing the

core business. In a country like India with growing unemployment, the cooperative sector can

promote industrial cooperatives, tiny and small industries, agricultural and non-agricultural activities

and farm and non-farm activities5.

Mohanan and Kulandaiswamy, (2004), explored that, development of micro-enterprises at grass-root

level means for amelioration of several socio-economic problems stemming from poverty and

unemployment. Micro entrepreneurs can gain economic empowerments, better market access, and

control over their environment through appropriate institutions. Micro enterprises lack institutional

mechanism to cope up with the challenges of the market. There have not been effective linkages

between the craft and the market. Moreover, rural markets are characterized by extreme asymmetry

of relation between number of small entrepreneurs and a few buyers6.

Mall D.D, (2001) discussed that, till the middle of 1990s there were three directions in promoting

entrepreneurship in the north-east region. First, awareness creation programme to create awareness

of entrepreneurial opportunities among the prospective entrepreneurs; second, new entrepreneurs

creation programme to train and develop new entrepreneurs and third, existing entrepreneurs

programme to develop their management capability. These programmes are target group oriented

(e.g. for women, rural, science and technology entrepreneurs), product –process specific (e.g. food

product, jute product etc.) and location specific. In fact all the programmes organized are location

specific only7.

As per Nirmala Borah Das, (2004) that, in recent times, women of India have taken commendable

part in the field of entrepreneurship. The Government of India has also stressed on special

entrepreneurship programmes for women with a view to uplift their status in the economic and social

fields. At present, with growing awareness and spread of education, women have ventured into

business to engage themselves in productive activities; women are increasingly seeking to become

entrepreneurs in various fields. It is now recognized that women have vast entrepreneurial talents

and that have transformed them from jobseekers to job givers. Initially women‟s activities in

business were confined to making papad, pickles, jam, masala, squash, weaving embroidery,

spinning and handicraft. Now their business has shifted towards non-traditional activities like

engineering, and other technical fields. This is due to spread to technical education among women8.

4 www.ssijmar.in

Gupta C.B, (2002) presented in his book that, many entrepreneurs fail due to several barriers and

problems. Vasper has identified the following barriers. Lack of a viable concept and market

knowledge, technical skills and seed capital, business know-how, Complacency- lack of

motivation, Social stigma, Time pressures and distractions, Legal constraints and regulations,

Monopoly and protectionism, Inhibitions due to patents9

In the words of Bankimchandra V. Vaidya,(2003) that, entrepreneurs can be trained to start his or her

industrial unit or a Business or as a service provider in different fields if proper inputs in the form of

training are given. This concept has opened a very vast field in giving self employment not only in

urban areas, but in rural areas also with the cascading effects in different fields. When we look at

the fast changing economic forces in our country, a sort of Non-Farm activities in the form of self

employment and accordingly, the curricula of the EDPs will have to be formulated looking to the

socio-cultural conditions of the rural people and consequently, the target group for whom the EDPs

are conducted. With more and more entrepreneurs establishing their units in rural areas, a sort of

new environment is created which will transform the quality of the rural life10

.

Raja Justus.E and Mahiba.M (2000) discussed that, participatory Micro Enterprises can play an

important role in accelerating the development process of underdeveloped countries or developing

nations like India. In the last two decades, they have made their presence felt by involving in

various spheres of activities like: welfare programmes; development-oriented schemes concentrating

on people, empowering women, and other weaker sections, protecting the rights of the exploited

classes; educating on environmental matters; spreading literacy; implementing health schemes; and

making the best use of the available help, concessions, grants and the like from the Government and

other development agencies for the benefit of the poor11

.

Gupta C.B. and Srinivasan N.P., (2002) mentioned that, Several economic and non-economic factors

affect Entrepreneurship. Economic factors include market incentives (new social needs the

entrepreneur can attempt to satisfy in new ways) and availability of capital to start and operate new

enterprises. Non economic factors consist of (a) political ideology and legal structure which

promote free enterprises, (b) Social mobility for example the caste structure in India restricted social

mobility of people and people born in a specific caste confined themselves to particular economic

functions, (c) Psychological factors like need achievement (People with high need for achievement

are more likely to become entrepreneurs), (d) competence, attitudes alone to not make an

entrepreneur and ability to compete effectively is necessary, and (e) cultural factors12

.

IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY

As pointed out by Sushma Sahay in order to play various roles by women in the preservation of

ecological balance and in maintaining sustainable development, there is the urgent need for

strengthening their hands by empowering women. The World Ecology Report says that the

empowerment of women has multiple benefits not only for the environment but also for the

humanity as well.

Women constitute nearly two third of population below poverty line in our country among them

sixty percent of the women take up economic activities related to agriculture and allied activities.

Illiterate and unskilled women engage in small business activities. Nearly twenty percent of SHG

5 www.ssijmar.in

members are artisans and engaged in making handicrafts and handloom products. These self

employment and income generating activities meet a substantial part of the increased demand for

consumer goods and simple producer or capital goods. It facilitates mobilization of resources, capital

as well as skill and aims at raising the standard of living of the people particularly women

entrepreneurs. Sometimes, these small enterprises provide women friendly specific technologies and

infrastructure that enhance work productivity and work environment.

So the various dimensions of livelihood options and their implications for women, the present

investigative study analyses the role of self employment and income generating activities through

the SHGs to promote women empowerment.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

In India, the female population is 586 million as per the census in 2011 contributing to nearly half of

the country‟s population. In this traditional and male dominated society women were confined

within four walls of the house to perform household activities that‟s why women get a very poor

recognition which in no way matches to their contribution. In addition, their resources and potentials

are not fully utilized. Economic development of any country can‟t be fully achieved as long as its

women are confined to subordinate position and their talents remain unexplored. Since independence

the government has been introducing several schemes for their all round development, in this

process women entrepreneurship is becoming a reality now- a- days due to pull and push factors, but

interestingly women entrepreneurs are largely confined to urban areas, so there is a necessity to

harness the latent skills and potentials of women, especially the rural women. Women were endowed

with entrepreneurial skills, particularly in business, but women did not enter into business, the main

reasons were women‟s status in the society was not satisfactory, the credit facilities were not

extended to women, women were uneducated and they depended upon their husband and parents. To

eliminate these conditions, the Central and State governments have launched many entrepreneurial

developmental programmes through forming voluntary associations like SHG‟s. SHG‟s are suitable

for the empowerment of women.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

To study the role of micro enterprises in women empowerment in Andhra Pradesh.

METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY

(a) SOURCE OF DATA

The study based on primary as well as secondary source of information.

(b) STUDY AREA AND SELECTION OF SAMPLE

The role of members on the Self Help Groups in Andhra Pradesh forms the universe for this study.

Three districts namely Medak, Prakasam and Anantapur were randomly selected from Telangana,

Costal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions respectively. From the stated each district the top two

mandals in SHG registered group ranking were selected. Again out of the selected mandals top two

ranking SHG registered habitations were in turn selected. From these habitations five percent of

random sample of SHG groups were taken for the present study. From each selected SHG group ten

SHG members were randomly considered for the study. As a result 890 members from sample size

6 www.ssijmar.in

for the study among them 190, 350 and 350 from Telangana, Costal Andhra and Rayalaseema

regions were considered for data collection.

(C) TOOLS FOR THE STUDY

Data were tabulated according to the variables. In the present study simple statistical tools like

averages, percentages, ratios were analysed, inferences drawn from data. Rating scales like three

points scale is used to estimate empowerment.

ANALYSIS OF EMPOWERMENT

Empowerment of women has been considered under five areas such as psychological, health,

sociological, economical and political, each area constructed on the basis of four constrains, each

constraint has three responses, and each response has its own marks. So the high marks of each area

are 12 and low marks are 4.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EMPOWERMENT

To estimate the psychological empowerment, four psychological constraints were considered such as

self confidence, risk baring capacity, relation with public and leader qualities. Each constraint is

provided with three responses as good, average and poor. The score details of respondents for

personal constraints are presented in the table-1.

Table: 1- Psychological Empowerment – SHG

Psychological

Empowerment

SHG

Total

Involved

in

Micro

enterprises

Not

involved in

Micro

enterprises

9-12 (High) 684

(94.61)

3

(1.80)

687

(77.19)

5-8 (Low) 39

(5.39)

163

(97.60)

202

(22.70)

0-4 (Nil) - 1

(0.60)

1

(0.11)

Total 723

(100.00)

167

(100.00)

890

(100.00)

Source: Primary data

Form the Table-1, it can be noted that the ¾ of SHG respondents have high psychological

empowerment. But there is a big difference between the respondents who are involved and not

involved in micro enterprises. In these respondents who were involved in micro enterprises, this

psychological empowerment is high but it is low under respondents who were not involved in micro

enterprises.

Score details of respondents who were involved in micro enterprises for psychological

empowerment at region wise is presented in the Table-2.

7 www.ssijmar.in

Table: 2 - Psychological Empowerment - Region

Psychological

Empowerment

Region

Total Telangana

Costal

Andhra Rayalaseema

9-12 117

(88.64)

291

(97.00)

276

(94.85)

684

(94.61)

5-8 15

(11.36)

9

(3.00)

15

(5.15)

39

(5.39)

0-4 - - - -

Total 132

(100.00)

300

(100.00)

291

(100.00)

723

(100.00)

Source: Primary data

It can be noted from the Table-2 that, Costal Andhra region stood at first position with 97.00 percent

in high psychological empowerment followed by Rayalaseema and Telangana with 94.86 percent

and 88.64 percent respectively and in low psychological empowerment, Telangana region stood at

first position with 11.35 percent and fallowed by Rayalaseema and Costal Andhra region with 5.15

percent and 3.00 percent respectively.

Details of respondents who were involved in micro enterprises, scores for psychological

empowerment at caste wise are presented in the Table-3.

Table: 3 - Psychological Empowerment - Caste

Psychological

Empowerment

Caste Total

ST SC BC OC

9-12 -

-

8

(22.22)

505

(98.44)

171

(99.42)

684

(94.61)

5-8 2

(100.00)

28

(78.78)

8

(1.56)

1

(0.58)

39

(5.39)

0-4 - - - - -

Total 2

(100.00)

36

(100.00)

513

(100.00)

172

(100.00)

723

(100.00)

Source: Primary data

It is very clear that the Psychological empowerment is high in OCs with

99.42 percent followed by BCs .44

8 www.ssijmar.in

recent and low in STs with 100 percent followed by SCs with 78.78 percent.

EMPOWERMENT ON HEALTH

To estimate the empowerment on health, four constraints have been considered such as awareness on

deceases, awareness on family planning, nutrition and awareness on government policies. Each

constraint is provided with three responses as good, average and poor. The details of respondent‟s

response score were presented in the Table -4.

Table: 4 - Empowerment on Health - SHG

Empowerment

on health

SHG

Total Involved in

Microenterprises

Not involved in

Microenterprises

9-12 262

(36.24)

12

(7.19)

274

(30.78)

5-8 461

(63.76)

140

(83.83)

601

(67.53)

0-4 - 15

(8.98)

15

(1.69)

Total 723

(100.00)

167

(100.00)

890

(100.00)

Source: Primary data

It can be noted that only 1/3 of respondents have high empowered and the rest of 2/3 respondents

have low empowered on health in SHGs but there is difference between the respondents who are

involved and not involved in micro enterprises. The respondents who are involved in micro

enterprises are aware of health than the respondents who are not involved.

At region wise health empowerment score details of respondents who are involved in micro

enterprise are presented in the Table-5.

Table: 5 - Empowerment on Health - Region

Empowerment

on Health

Region

Total Telangana

Costal

Andhra Rayalaseema

9-12 47

(35.61)

129

(43.00)

86

(29.55)

262

(36.24)

5-8 85

(64.39)

171

(57.00)

205

(70.45)

461

(63.76)

0-4 - - - -

Total 132

(100.00)

300

(100.00)

291

(100.00)

723

(100.00)

Source: Primary data

9 www.ssijmar.in

From the Table-5, it is found that in three regions of Telangana, Costal Andhra and Rayalaseema

empowerment on health is low. But among the three regions Costal Andhra is stood at better

position on health empowerment. Details of respondents who are involved in micro enterprises score

for empowerment on health at caste wise are presented in the Table- 6.

Table: 6 - Empowerment on Health - Caste

Empowermen

t

on Health

Caste

Total ST SC BC OC

9-12 -

2

(5.56)

172

(33.53)

88

(51.16)

262

(36.24)

5-8

2

(100.00

)

34

(94.44)

341

(66.47)

84

(48.84)

461

(63.76)

0-4 - - - - -

Total

2

(100.00

)

36

(100.00

)

513

(100.00

)

172

(100.00

)

723

(100.00

)

Source: Primary data

It can be seen that the empowerment on health is high in OCs with 51.16 percent followed by BCs

with 33.53 percent and it is very low in STs with 100 percent followed by SCs with 94.44 percent.

78.78 percent.

SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT

Each constraint is provided with three responses as generally, sometimes, never for dual role, male

domination and family encouragement, always, not involved and discouraged for encouragement of

children education. The details of respondents score for social constraints are presented in the Table

-7.

Table: 7 - Social Empowerment - SHG

Social

Empowe

rment

SHG

To

tal

Involved

in

Microent

erprises

Not

involved

in

Microent

erprises

9-12 491

(67.91)

1

(0.60)

49

2

(55

.28

)

5-8

232

(32.09)

127

(76.05)

35

9

(40

10 www.ssijmar.in

.34

)

0-4 - 39

(23.35)

39

(4.

38)

Total 723

(100.00)

167

(100.00)

89

0

(10

0.0

0)

Source: Primary data

It is observed from the Table-7 that, above half of the respondents of SHGs have high social

empowerment with 55.28 percent and above 2/3 respondents who are involved in micro enterprises

have high social empowerment with 67.91 percent, remaining respondents have low on social

empowerment with 32.09 percent but among the respondents who are not involved in micro

enterprises nearly ¼ are have nil social empowerment and ¾ are have low social empowerment.

There is a lot of difference in between respondents who are involved and not involved in micro

enterprises.

Score details for social empowerment of respondents who were involved in microenterprises at

region wise are presented in the Table-8.

Table: 8 - Social Empowerment - Region

Social

Empowerment

Region

Total Telangana

Costal

Andhra Rayalaseema

9-12 93

(70.45)

221

(73.67)

177

(60.82)

491

(67.91)

5-8 39

(29.55)

79

(26.33)

114

(39.18)

232

(32.09)

0-4 - - - -

Total 132

(100.00)

300

(100.00)

291

(100.00)

723

(100.00)

Source: Primary data

At over all level the social empowerment is high in all three regions of Andhra Pradesh. Costal

Andhra is stood at first position with 73.67 percent followed by Telangana with 70.45 percent and

Rayalaseema with 60.82 percent and in low social empowerment Rayalaseema stood at first position

with 39.18 percent and followed by Telangana with 29.55 percent and Costal Andhra 26.33 percent.

Score details of social empowerment of respondents who were involved in micro enterprises at caste

wise are presented in the Table-9.

Table: 9 - Social Empowerment - Caste

11 www.ssijmar.in

Social

Empowerme

nt

Caste

Total ST SC BC OC

9-12 -

-

371

(72.32)

120

(69.77)

491

(67.91)

5-8

2

(100.0

0)

36

(100.0

0)

142

(27.68)

52

(30.23)

232

(32.09)

0-4 - - - - -

Total

2

(100.0

0)

36

(100.0

0)

513

(100.0

0)

172

(100.0

0)

723

(100.0

0)

Source: Primary data

Now it can be find that the social empowerment is high in BCs with 72.31 percent followed by OCs

with 69.77 percent and low social empowerment is in ST and SC with 100.00 percent.

ECONOMICAL EMPOWERMENT

To estimate the economic empowerment, the four economical constraints has been considered such

as purchasing daily food and medicine, purchasing furniture and utensils, savings and purchasing

assets. Each constraint is provided with three responses as generally, rarely and never. The details of

respondents score for economical constraints are presented in the Table-10.

Table: 10 - Economic Empowerment - SHG

Economic

Empowerment

SHG

Total Involved in

microenterprises

Not involved in

microenterprises

9-12 527

(72.89)

4

(2.40)

531

(59.66)

5-8 196

(27.11)

136

(81.44)

332

(37.30)

0-4 - 27

(16.16)

27

(3.04)

Total 723

(100.00)

167

(100.00)

890

(100.00)

Source: Primary data

12 www.ssijmar.in

Now it can be conclude that nearly 60.00 percent of SHG respondents have high economic

empowerment. This economic empowerment is high in respondents who are involved in micro

enterprises with 72.8 percent than the respondents who are not involved in micro enterprises. Low

economic empowerment is high in respondents who are not involved in micro enterprises with 81.64

percent.

Score details for economic empowerment of respondents who are involved in micro enterprises

region wise are presented in the Table-11.

Table: 11- Economic Empowerment - Region

Economic

Empowerme

nt

Region

Total Telangan

a

Costal

Andhra

Rayalasee

ma

9-12 91

(68.94)

231

(77.00)

205

(70.45)

527

(72.89)

5-8 41

(31.06)

69

(23.00)

86

(29.55)

196

(27.11)

0-4 -

-

-

-

Total

132

(100.00)

300

(100.00

)

291

(100.00)

723

(100.00

)

Source: Primary data

It is crystal clear that the three regions of Telangana, Costal Andhra, and Rayalaseema have high

economic empowerment above 68.00 percent but among three regions, Costal Andhra stood at first

position with 77.00 percent followed by Rayalaseema with 70.45 percent and Telangana with 68.94

percent.

Table: 12- Economic Empowerment - Caste

Economic

Empowerme

nt

Caste Total

ST SC BC OC

9-12 -

2

(5.56)

421

(82.07)

104

(60.47)

527

(72.89)

5-8

2

(100.0

0)

34

(94.44)

92

(17.93)

68

(39.53)

196

(27.11)

0-4 -

-

-

-

-

Total

2

(100.0

0)

36

(100.0

0)

513

(100.0

0)

172

(100.0

0)

723

(100.0

0)

Source: Primary data

13 www.ssijmar.in

Score details for economic empowerment of respondent who are involved in micro enterprises at

caste wise are presented in the Table-12. Now it can be concluded that economic empowerment is

high in BCs with 82.07 percent followed by OCs with 60.47 percent and low in STs with 100.00

percent and followed by SCs with 94.44 percent.

POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT

To estimate the political empowerment, it has been considered that the four political constraints such

as awareness on politics, voting decision, participating in public protest issues and standing for

elections. Each constraint is provided with three responses as more idea, some idea and poor for

awareness on politics, own, sometimes, never for voting decision, always, sometimes, never for

participating in public protest issues and for standing for election. The details of responding score for

political constraints are presented in the Table-13.

Table: 13 - Political Empowerment - SHG

Political

Empowerment

SHG

Total

Involved in

Microenterprises

Not involved in

microenterprises

9-12 3

(0.41)

1

(0.60)

4

(0.45)

5-8 718

(99.31)

153

(91.62)

871

(97.87)

0-4 2

(0.28)

13

(7.78)

15

(1.68)

Total 723

(100.00)

167

(100.00)

890

(100.00)

Source: Primary data

It is very evident that there is no high political empowerment in respondents at SHG wise and micro

enterprises wise. But in low political empowerment, the respondents who are involved in micro

enterprises are better with 99.31 percent than the respondents who are not involved in micro

enterprises with 91.62 percent and nearly 8.00 percent of respondents who are not involved in micro

enterprises have nil political empowerment. Score details for political empowerment of respondents

who are involved in micro enterprises at region wise are presented in the Table -14.

Table: 14 - Political Empowerment - Region

Political

Empowerme

nt

Region

Total Telanga

na

Costal

Andhr

a

Rayalasee

ma

9-12 -

2

(0.67)

1

(0.34)

3

(0.41)

5-8 131

(99.24)

298

(99.33)

289

(99.32)

718

(99.31)

14 www.ssijmar.in

0-4 1

(0.76)

-

1

(0.34)

2

(0.28)

Total 132

(100.00)

300

(100.0

0)

291

(100.00)

723

(100.0

0)

Source: Primary data

It can be found from the Table-14, that the political empowerment is low in all three regions of

Telangana, Costal Andhra, and Rayalaseema. But in this low political empowerment Costal Andhra

region stood at first position with 99.33 percent and along with no member respondent have nil

political empowerment followed by Rayalaseema and Telangana regions.

Score details for political empowerment of respondents who are involved in micro enterprises at

caste wise are presented in the table-15.

Table: 15 - Political Empowerment - Caste

Political

Empowerme

nt

Caste Total

ST SC BC OC

9-12 - - 1

(0.20)

2

(1.16)

3

(0.41)

5-8 -

36

(100.00

)

512

(99.80)

170

(98.84)

718

(99.31)

0-4

2

(100.00

)

- - - 2

(0.28)

Total

2

(100.00

)

36

(100.00

)

513

(100.00

)

172

(100.00

)

723

(100.00

)

Source: Primary data

It is find from the Table-15 that there is no high political empowerment in ST, SCs and it is only

bellow 2.00 percent in BC and OC respondents and SC, BC, OC respondents have low political

empowerment with 100.00 percent, 99.80 percent, 98.84 percent respectively and 100.00 percent

STs have nil political empowerment.

FINDINGS

15 www.ssijmar.in

The respondents of SHGs have high psychological, social and economical empowerment where as

low political and health empowerment. The respondents of SHGs who are not involved in

microenterprises have low empowerment in psychological, health, social, economical and political

areas. The respondents of SHGs who are involved in microenterprises have high psychological,

social, economical empowerment but low political and health empowerment in.

The respondents of SHGs who are involved in microenterprises at region wise, costal Andhra has

high psychological, health, social, economical empowerment than the other regions of Rayalaseema

and Telangana. But in case of political empowerment three regions have same result that is low. The

respondents of SHGs who are involved in microenterprises at caste wise, OCs is having high

psychological and health empowerment where as BCs are having social and economic

empowerment.

SUGGESTIONS

Right efforts on from all areas are required in the development of women entrepreneurs and their

greater participation in the entrepreneurial activities. Following efforts can be taken into account for

effective development of women entrepreneurs.

Believe women as specific target group for all developmental programmers.

Improved educational facilities and schemes should be extended to women folk from government

part.

Sufficient training programme on management skills to be provided to women community and

encourage women's participation in decision-making.

Professional training to be provided to women‟s community that enables them to understand the

production process and production management.

Programmes of training and counseling through the aid of committed NGOs, psychologists,

managerial experts and technical personal to be organized on a large scale of existing women

entrepreneurs to remove psychological causes like lack of self-confidence and fear of success and

they should be monitored continuously .

Area of operations in which women are trained should focus on their marketability and profitability,

and also making provision of marketing and sales assistance from government part.

State finance corporations and financing institutions should permit by statute to extend purely trade

related finance to women entrepreneurs.

The financial intermediaries should provide more working capital assistance both for small scale

venture and large scale ventures through micro credit system and enterprise credit system to the

women entrepreneurs at local level.

Infrastructure, in the form of industrial plots and sheds, to set up industries is to be provided by

state run agencies.

District Industries Centers and Single Window Agencies should active and liberal role in assisting

women in their trade and business guidance and the programmes for encouraging entrepreneurship

among women are to be extended in their jurisdiction.

16 www.ssijmar.in

At the high school level the training in entrepreneurial attitudes should start through well-designed

courses, which build confidence through behavioral games.

More governmental schemes to be introduced to motivate women entrepreneurs to engage in small

scale and large-scale business ventures through financial, technical, managerial, infrastructural

assistances etc.

REFERENCES

1. Gupta .C.B. and Srinivasan .N.P.,2002, “Entrepreneurship Development in India”, New Delhi,

Sultan Chand & Sons, p.1.

2. Ibid., p.34.

3. Gurumoorthy T.R.,2000. “Self Help Groups Empower Rural Women”, Kurukshetra, Vol.48, No.5,

p.39,

4. Gupta .C.B. and Srinivasan .N.P.,2002, “Entrepreneurship Development in India”, New Delhi,

Sultan Chand & Sons, p.1.

5. Samwel Kakuko Lopoyetum, 2003,“Cooperative Entrepreneurship”, Kurukshetra, Vol.52., No.1.,

November, , p.21.

6. N.Mohanan and V.Kulandaiswamy, 2004, “Institutional Linkages for Micro-Enterprises

Development”, Kurukshetra, Vol.52, No.7, p.45.

7. Mali D.D., 2001. “Entrepreneurship Development in North East”, Social and Institutional Issues,

Vol.49., No.9., p.32.

8. Nirmala Borah Das,2004, Women Entrepreneurs, Kanaklata Mahila Urban Co-operative bank,

Kurukshetra, Vol.53, No.1, p.43,

9. Gupta C.B. and Srinivasan N.P., 2002, “Entrepreneurship Development in India”, New Delhi,

Sultan Chand & Sons, p.1.6.

10. Bankimchandra V.Vaidya, 2003, “Entrepreneurship Development”, Transforming Rural Scenario,

Kurukshetra, Vol.52., No.2., p.37.

11. Raja Justus.E and Mahiba.M, 2000, “Participatory Micro Enterprises” A case study of PASA,

Kurukshetra, Vol.49. No.3., December, 2000., p.16.

12. Gupta C.B. and Srinivasan N.P., 2002, “Entrepreneurship Development in India”, New Delhi,

Sultan Chand & Sons, p.1.