Quick Overview

Public policy and the basic perceptions underlying such policy are important in shaping the pattern of women entrepreneurship development in any country. In India, the national policy as also the policy approach of the State governments has been moulded around the historical experience of the country in the subject area. Therefore, an understanding of the evolution of public policy relating to gender- based empowerment and participation are critical. The perceptions and practice in the subject area differ. While Kerala has a longer history of public policies for women empowerment, it is important to have the debates on the basis of the State’s experience. Kerala has a number of public programmes targeting women and their associations/groups. It is important to examine their present status and potential from the point of view of better planning, targeting and, corrective action. While it is generally perceived that, impacts of public schemes are often much less than the potential, it is important to identify the critical constraints and to typologize them