86% of Women in UP are Running Businesses on Their Own
Women in Uttar Pradesh who have benefited from government schemes and have taken the path of entrepreneurship have significantly progressed. Under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme, approximately 59% of beneficiaries are women.
Out of the total women in Uttar Pradesh, 57% are employed, and 86% of these working women are associated with self-employment or entrepreneurship. According to Udyog Foundation, a national organization working to improve women’s lives in the state, the national average for women entrepreneurs is only 24%. The UP government is committed to increasing the participation of women in entrepreneurship and empowering them with the necessary skills and knowledge.
Need for More Encouragement
Although women are being trained and provided technical assistance, only 24% of these women are able to make profits. Hence, more proactive policies and efforts are needed to enhance the participation of women in entrepreneurial activities, allowing them to leverage their skills effectively.
46% of Women Own a Mobile Phone
According to the report, 46% of women own a mobile phone, and 22% use smartphones for running their businesses. This figure shows the need to focus on digital literacy to increase women's involvement in economic activities.
Women’s Participation in Entrepreneurship
- PM Swanidhi Scheme: More than 3 lakh women have benefited from this scheme.
- Mission Shakti Employment Scheme: More than 47,000 women.
- One District One Product (ODOP) Scheme: More than 25% of the total beneficiaries are women.
Additionally, the report highlighted that in sectors like agriculture, 78.5% of women are involved, whereas in manufacturing, women's participation is still only 5%. To increase women’s involvement in fields like design, electronics, textiles, and other major sectors, the government is focusing on policy support.
