CONTRIBUTION OF MICRO FINANCE INSTITUTIONS IN WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT

This study looks at how microfinance institutions (MFIs) help rural women develop sustainable enterprise in Tamil Nadu, India. Rural women still have a difficult time getting access to markets, training, and funding, which limits their ability to start their own businesses even with the remarkable advancements in economic inclusion. The study examines the effects of social networking, market access, capacity building, and financial access on the growth of women entrepreneurs through a cross-sectional survey of 211 female entrepreneurs who have used MFI services. Using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis with SPSS, the results show that capacity building is the only variable that significantly correlates with and predicts the development of entrepreneurship out of all those examined. This underscores the crucial role of training, mentorship, and skills enhancement in enabling sustainable business growth. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers, MFIs, and development agencies aiming to empower rural women through integrated and holistic microfinance strategies.