Lok Sabha Question No. 419 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-23
Subject: Index of Women Entrepreneurs
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: R. PARTHIPAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 419 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2018

## INDEX OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

## 419. SHRI R. PARTHIPAN:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the rank of India according to the Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs;
- (b) whether  India  presents  lesser  opportunities  for  women  to  engage  in  entrepreneurial activities, assume leadership roles or participate in workforce as per the said Index and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the proposals/plans before the Government for improving the country's rank;
- (d) whether  lack  of  education,  technological  know-how  and  cultural  bias  coupled  with stringent  business  and  Government  regulations  undermine  women's  ability  to  take advantage of entrepreneurial opportunities in India; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof along with the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI)

- (a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (A)  TO  (E)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.419 FOR 23.03.2018 BY SHRI R. PARTHIPAN REGARDING 'INDEX OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS'

- (a) to (e) : No such report has been received by the Ministry. However, various programmes for empowerment of Women are being implemented through different Ministries/Departments/Organizations.  Some  of  the  important  such  programmes  are  as below :

Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK): A society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 under the Ministry of Women & Child Development (MWCD), RMK is an apex micro-finance organization to provide micro-credit at concessional rate of interest to women Self Help Groups or individual women (the ultimate beneficiaries) through Intermediary Micro-financing Organizations (IMOs) /Non-Governmental Organisations  (NGOs)  /  Voluntary  Organisations  (VOs)  for  various  livelihood  support and  income  generating  activities  in  a  client-friendly  manner  so  as  to  bring  about  their socio-economic development.

Mahila E-Haat : The Ministry of Women & Child Development launched 'Mahila E-Haat', a unique direct online marketing platform to support women entrepreneurs/SHGs/  NGOs,  on  07 th March  2016.  Mahila  E-Haat  is  an  initiative  for meeting  aspirations  and  needs  of  women  entrepreneurs.  It  is  aimed  at  providing  a  emarketing platform by leveraging technology for showcasing products made/manufactured/sold  by  women  entrepreneurs/SHGs/NGOs  as  also  showcasing services reflecting their creative potential.

Over  22  lakh  visitors  to  the  site.  Women  entrepreneurs/SHGs/NGOs  from  29 states are showcasing over 3500 products/services. Presently there are over 28000 women entrepreneurs/SHGs/NGOs  and  over  4.38  lakh  beneficiaries  directly  and  indirectly impacted  and  this    is  being  continuously  upgraded.  On  this  portal  bulk,  repeat  and customised orders  can  also  be  undertaken.  The  online  marketing  platform  displays  the products/services of the vendors with their contact number, address as also the basic cost.

Women of India Organic Festival : Ministry  of  Women  &  Child  Development organizes Women of India Organic Festival, the largest festival of organic products by women farmers and producers. The Women of India Organic Festival has now become an annual event and exhibits/offers for sale most varied range of organic products including food, kitchen products, species, pure fabric to wellness, personal care among others. The main aim of the Festival is to support and encourage women / women entrepreneurs and women-led  groups  that  promote  organic  farming,  thus  among  other  things  supporting their local community's economy, creating jobs for their financial inclusion.

First Ladies : The Ministry of Women and Child Development felicitated women who were  the  first  to  set  a  milestone  in  their  respective  fields.  The  event  is  a  platform  for women  from  diverse  fields,  geographical  locations  and  age  brackets  to  share  their experience and for the Government to recognise and honour the exceptional feat achieved by  them.  'First  Ladies'  are  a  representation  of  the  Government's  relentless  effort  to encourage and empower women.

Nari Shakti Puraskars : To  acknowledge  Women's  achievements,  Government  of India confers Nari Shakti Puraskars to  eminent women and institutions in recognition of  their  service  towards  the  cause  of  women  empowerment.  The  awards  recognize  the efforts made by women & institutions in rendering distinguished services for the cause of women, especially vulnerable and marginalized women.

NABARD SHG Bank Linkage Programme: SHG Bank Linkage programme pioneered by NABARD is today the largest community based microfinance programme.  As on 31 March 2017, 85.77 lakh SHGs have been Savings linked, of which 85% are exclusive Women SHGs. NABARD spends funds out of the Financial Inclusion Fund maintained by it for promoting and supporting the programme.

Women SHG (WSHG) programme: Ministry of Finance, Government of India had set up  a  'Women  Self  Help  Group  Development  Fund'  to  implement  a  'Scheme  for promotion of Women SHGs in 150 Left Wing Extremism affected and Backward districts of India'. The programme is being implemented by NABARD.

Deendayal  Antyodaya  Yojana -  The  Government  is  implementing  National  Rural Livelihoods  Mission  (DAY-NRLM)  across  the  country  in  a  mission  mode  with  the objective  of  organizing  the  rural  poor  women  into  Self  Help  Groups  (SHGs),  and continuously  nurturing  and  supporting  them  to  take  economic  activities  till  they  attain appreciable increase in incomes over a period of time to improve their quality of life and come out of abject poverty. The programme is under implementation in all States/UTs (excluding Delhi and Chandigarh).

In the light of the above it could be seen that the Government of India is creating adequate entrepreneurial opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

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