WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN INDIA - A WEAPON FOR POVERTY ELIMINATION

India is the victim of poverty since independence. Around 37% Indian population lives below poverty line as per the records of 2010. Unemployment is one of the reasons responsible for it. Generation of employment requires equal contribution from the sides of men and women. Nearly half of the world population comprises of women and so is the case in India. The development of the Nation and the eradication of poverty is possible only when women are also empowered. In India, Government has taken various initiatives to develop the women as entrepreneur through various schemes. These measures enhanced women entrepreneurship but still there aresome hindrances to be taken care of. This paper describes the meaning and need of women entrepreneur, the key changes of women entrepreneur in the last five decades , the supportive measures by the government and the problems which still hinder the growth of women entrepreneurs.