Agri-based Women-led Social Enterprises in the Social Economy

Background

There is an urgent need to organise national-level women-centric social enterprise initiatives to unlock women’s potential as drivers of economic and social change. Despite their resilience and entrepreneurial spirit, women face systemic barriers such as limited access to finance, inadequate market linkages, gender discrimination, and mobility restrictions, alongside lack of tailored skilling, mentorship, and enabling policies.

Way forward: Building enabling environments through gender-responsive policies, dedicated skilling programs, financial inclusion measures, and strong mentorship networks is crucial. National initiatives must focus on women’s leadership development, digital and market access facilitation, and systemic advocacy to dismantle structural barriers. Cross-sector collaboration among government, private sector, financial institutions, and civil society will enable scalable, sustainable women-led social enterprises, creating livelihoods, fostering community development, and advancing gender equity.

Key Possible Areas for Women-Centric Social Enterprises

1. Transport & Mobility: Women-led taxi, auto-rickshaw, and last-mile delivery services.