Answer

In the face of growing climate instability, women-led green enterprises have emerged as key drivers of sustainable development.. Empowering women in the green economy not only fosters environmental innovations but also advances gender equity and inclusive economic growth in India. 

Need for Promoting Women-Led Green Businesses

• Climate Resilience: Women entrepreneurs often focus on sustainable practices, enhancing community resilience to climate change.
  Eg: Women-led SHGs of Andhra Pradesh produce eco-friendly items like banana-leaf plates, reducing plastic use and promoting sustainability.
• Economic Empowerment: Engaging women in green businesses boosts household incomes and local economies.
  Eg: Women Safai Mitras of Jharkhand collect and recycle waste, earning ₹2,000–3,000 weekly while promoting environmental cleanliness.
• Innovation and Sustainability: Women bring unique perspectives, leading to innovative eco-friendly solutions.
  Eg: Eco Femme, a women-led enterprise in Tamil Nadu, produces organic washable cloth pads, reducing sanitary waste.
• Community Development: Women-led green initiatives often focus on community welfare and environmental education.
  Eg: Women SHGs of Dakshin Kannad promote menstrual cups, significantly reducing sanitary waste in panchayats.
• Policy Alignment: Promoting women in green sectors aligns with national goals for inclusive and sustainable development.
  Eg: The Stand-Up India scheme provides loans to women entrepreneurs for greenfield enterprises, fostering inclusive growth.

Barriers Faced by Women in the Green Economy

• Limited Access to Finance: Women often lack collateral and face challenges in accessing formal credit systems.
  Eg: Despite schemes like Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE), many women entrepreneurs struggle to secure loans due to stringent requirements.
• Skill Gaps: There is a shortage of technical training tailored for women in green sectors.
  Eg: India’s Skill Council for Green Jobs reports that 85% of green skill training recipients are men, indicating a gender gap.
• Societal Norms: Cultural expectations often restrict women’s participation in non-traditional roles.
• Lack of Mentorship: Women entrepreneurs have limited access to networks and mentorship, hindering business growth.
  Eg: Initiatives like Enabling Women of Kamand (EWOK) in Himachal Pradesh aim to bridge this gap by providing training and incubation support.
• Work-Life Balance Challenges: Balancing entrepreneurial activities with domestic responsibilities poses significant challenges.
  Eg: The Generation India report highlights that inadequate support for work-life balance deters women from pursuing green careers.

Ways to Strengthen Women’s Role in Sustainable Development

• Financial Inclusion: Enhance access to collateral-free loans and financial literacy programs.
  Eg :The Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana offers collateral-free loans, with over 68% sanctioned to women entrepreneurs between FY15 and FY21.
• Skill Development: Implement targeted training programs in green technologies for women.
  Eg: SEWA trained women salt-pan farmers in Gujarat as solar technicians, enabling them to secure jobs in renewable energy.
• Mentorship and Networking: Establish platforms for peer learning and mentorship among women entrepreneurs.
  Eg: The Bolega Bihar campaign facilitates knowledge exchange on solar technologies among SHG members facilitating JEEViKA didis to use a solar-powered machine to make papad.
• Policy Support: Develop gender-responsive policies that address specific challenges faced by women in green sectors.
  Eg: The Yashasvini initiative focuses on empowering women entrepreneurs in Tier-II/III towns through capacity building to achieve gender parity by 2029.
• Infrastructure and Support Services: Provide necessary infrastructure like childcare facilities and safe transportation to support women entrepreneurs.
  Eg: The Jugsalai Municipal Council’s ‘utensil bank’ initiative, managed by women’s SHGs, combines environmental conservation with livelihood generation.

Empowering women in the green economy is essential for achieving sustainable development and climate resilience. By addressing financial, societal, and infrastructural barriers, and providing targeted support, India can harness the full potential of women-led green enterprises, driving inclusive growth and environmental sustainability.

DOWNLOAD PDF