JJEM: Special Edition 3 (January 2025)
JJEM: Special Edition 3 (January 2025)
2025-01-20
Women Entrepreneurs and Access to Finance: Challenges & Solutions
Dr. Prakruthi N Udupa
The dynamic landscape of entrepreneurship has witnessed an increasing participation of women, who are contributing significantly to economic growth and innovation. However, women entrepreneurs often encounter substantial barriers when accessing financial resources, which are critical for the establishment and expansion of their businesses. This paper explores the multifaceted challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in securing finance, including gender biases, limited collateral, and lack of networking opportunities. It further examines the systemic obstacles within financial institutions that perpetuate these disparities. To address these issues, the paper has narrated and tried to put the content on five women entrepreneurs and the organizations led by them. The paper tries to propose a range of solutions such as promoting financial literacy among women, implementing gender-sensitive policies within lending institutions, and fostering mentorship and networking platforms that connect women entrepreneurs with potential investors. By adopting these strategies, stakeholders can create a more equitable financial landscape, empowering women entrepreneurs to thrive and contribute to a more inclusive economic future. This abstract serves as a call to action for policymakers, financial institutions, and society at large to dismantle barriers and support the full potential of women-led enterprises.
Women, Entrepreneurs, Access to Finance, Challenges & Solutions.