Self Employment Opportunities of Differently Abled Women and the Major Obstacles: A Literature Review

This review article looks closely at the gendered barriers that women with disabilities face and how gender bias makes them even more susceptible to marginalisation in the sphere of self-employment. Even though there is more recognition around the world regarding the contributions of self-employed women, women with disabilities are still at a disadvantage in two ways: first, because of societal stigma surrounding disability and second, because of the gender stereotypes that curtail their agency significantly. This study analyses research from around the world to understand how gender bias impedes in areas like access to money, use of technology, policy support, and business performance. The paper looks at how assistive technologies can help, the gaps in current institutional frameworks, and the lack of inclusive support systems that all make it harder for disabled women to succeed through self-employment. It also shows how these women are able to turn systemic problems into opportunities for their survival by being strong and creative. The review aims to impart policy suggestions for policymakers and ecosystem stakeholders. It calls for strategies that are sensitive to gender and include people with disabilities, so that everyone has equal access to economic resources and recognition in the larger economy.