Role of Entrepreneurship Development Programmes in Enhancing Entrepreneurial Skills and Financial Independence among Rural Women
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66635/2e26ad32Keywords:
Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDPs), Entrepreneurial Skills, Financial Independence, Rural Women Entrepreneurship, Economic EmpowermentAbstract
This study examines the role of Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDPs) in promoting sustainable entrepreneurial skills and financial independence among rural women in India, within the broader context of inclusive and sustainable entrepreneurship in Asia. A quantitative research design was employed, and primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire using a Likert scale. Statistical techniques, including descriptive analysis, correlation, and multiple regression, were applied to test the proposed hypotheses. The findings indicate that EDPs significantly enhance entrepreneurial competencies such as financial literacy, decision-making, and business management. Entrepreneurial skills emerged as the strongest predictor of financial independence, highlighting the critical role of human capital development in achieving sustainable economic outcomes. However, the direct impact of EDP participation on financial independence was found to be moderate, suggesting that structural barriers such as limited access to finance, inadequate market linkages, and socio-cultural constraints continue to hinder the sustainability of women-led enterprises. The study contributes to the literature on sustainable entrepreneurship in developing economies by demonstrating that the effectiveness of EDPs depends on supportive institutional ecosystems. It offers important policy implications for designing integrated, sustainability-oriented entrepreneurship programmes that foster long-term economic empowerment and resilience among rural women in emerging Asian contexts.
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