Empowering Women through Entrepreneurship : A Study of Hand in Hand India's Business Development Program in Tamil Nadu

Women’s entrepreneurship is increasingly recognized as a pathway to economic empowerment, yet persistent gender norms and structural inequalities continue to restrict women’s opportunities in many parts of the world. In India, these barriers are particularly pronounced, limiting women’s participation in the labor market and their ability to exercise decision-making power within both households and society. This study explores the enabling and constraining factors affecting women entrepreneurs who participate in Hand in Hand India’s Business Development Program in Tamil Nadu. Drawing on qualitative data from 15 semi-structured interviews, the research provides an in-depth, empirical perspective on women’s lived experiences within entrepreneurship initiatives. The study finds that while family support can be a critical enabler, it can also act as a barrier, particularly when deeply entrenched gender norms and the burden of unpaid domestic labor persist within the household. These findings contribute to the literature on gender and development by offering a contextualized understanding of empowerment processes and by highlighting the need for policy interventions that address structural constraints in women’s entrepreneurial journeys.