India’s women head count is approximately 587 million which is virtually half the outright population. Can we trance about rise in economic growth and whirling into a developed country, if half our population remains unemployed? No. This is one of the reasons why women empowerment is currently a hot topic of avid discussion. Every tool which is developed and implemented contributing to women empowerment in the present scenario should be embraced with wide open arms. Startup is one of the most important tools which, is not only improving the economic conditions but also aiding to empowering women.
Startups provide an environment that develop and foster women talent and can contribute towards empowering women. MNCs might offer jobs, but the market is competitive and carving out your inner talents is a can of worms. Startups are fostering talent by providing an open ambiance for developing your skills and totally uprooting orthodox behaviour. Women entrepreneurs create new jobs everyday for women like themselves. Thus, government along with developmental organisations are taking active interest in promotion of women entrepreneurs all over the world by various schemes as well as incentives. Let’s read exactly how start-ups help in empowering women.
Also Read: Hey Womaniya! Is it the right time for being an entrepreneur?
“At the end of the day, don’t forget that you’re a person, don’t forget you’re a mother, don’t forget you’re a wife, don’t forget you’re a daughter.”
– Indra Nooyi
Being a lady is beholding a lot of responsibilities. This reality will dawn upon you sooner or later. Oh my god! I’m a mother! Do I have to quit my job? Well, maybe it’s your dream job but, corporate world will not provide you with flexible hours to meet the needs of your child. Well, this is where start-ups seep in. The work culture of startup is not preset. Startups do not bear rigid working hours, nor are there any demanding schedules. They are generally more open to irregular working hours. Sometimes, you can even work from home! This empowers you with freedom, instead of enforcing you with a tough choice: work or life you have a fusion of both. This provides the work savvy ladies with a well cultured supportive working environment which is a blessing for women in India, a country whose people take pride in being called, orthodox.
Taking a career break is inevitable for ladies who are taking the family road. There are innumerable reasons for this, related to their kids or family, shifting cities, if maternity leaves are not an option, etc. This serves as a major drawback when you’ve built a career working for top notch MNCs. Experience, constantly remaining in touch and having every new development in your field at your fingertips is a must for a corporate job. After the gap they face questions like, “Are you confident you’ll be able to catch up with your updated co-workers?” or “Are you certain you’ll not keep asking for a leave, for every petty problem related to your child?” This is where startups are a saviour.
Startups will provide you with flexibility as aforesaid, but another advantage is for a startup you need an innovative idea embedded with passion and determination to convert that idea into a successful venture. You do not have face criticism at every interview. Instead you work according to your time once you find your niche. Taking breaks for a few years or building your work around your family schedule is not a barrier when it comes to startups.
Also Read: Let her free! Make an entrepreneur!
There are many start-ups which have come up with unique ways to help women empowerment and make women self-sufficient. Let’s read about a few such Indian startups.
JobsForHer
jobsforher.com founded by Neha Bagaria, sources jobs from various companies and lists them on their website. It’s a platform for women who wish to restart their careers after gaps or sabbaticals due to various reasons. They have all sorts of job openings freelance, part-time, full-time, work from home etc to empower women to become self-sufficient. Women who are in search for a job can browse and apply over jobsforher and the company then forwards the candidate’s applications to the respective companies. All this, is free of cost! This is their way of empowering women who put their family needs above their careers.
BookMyBai
Bookmybai.com, founded by Anupam Singal and Vikash Chowdhury is an online company that aims on providing reliable household help. This startup is useful for families where any sort of help is needed. The market for this startup is massive as every household requires some sort of domestic help. With the help of bookmybai this startup team aims to give a choice to the job seekers at lower levels with lesser experience. Cleaning, household chores maid aside this startup also provides maids for cooking, babysitting, elderly care, etc. This startup aims at resolving two issues simultaneously! It provides maids to the families who need them also it helps many young women to earn and become self-sufficient, which leads to women empowerment.
Ittisa
“You are your own architect, not what others make you. So make sure you follow your passion and put your heart and soul into achieving whatever it is that you have set your mind upon. Remember, ‘there is no force equal to that of a determined woman’.”
-Sneh Sharma
Sneh Sharma is the founder and CEO of Ittisa which is an all women digital marketing agency. In fact, it’s one of the fastest growing digital marketing companies. It deals in social media marketing, app designing and development, search engine optimization, brand strategy and communication etc. Sneh is the outstanding example of an excellent womentrepreneur who is creating more job opportunities and empowering women.
Over the past decade, the role of women in the work place and society has changed immensely. Women are being recognised and celebrated as successful entrepreneurs as well as professionals. Many factors have been responsible for this change naming few education, economic conditions, government policies and a small part is being contributed by start-ups. The path to equality in all sectors and full-fledged women empowerment is a long one however, we are slowly on our way.
