Opinion | Women Entrepreneurship- A Renaissance in J&K

Women entrepreneurs in Jammu and Kashmir are catalysts for economic growth and social transformation, driving progress through innovative ventures in textiles, handicrafts, food processing, and tourism.

In the context of Jammu and Kashmir, the narrative of women entrepreneurship has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. Historically, the region’s complex socio-political environment, combined with traditional cultural norms, limited women’s participation in the business sector. However, in the past few years, the sector has seen a remarkable shift, driven by policy reforms, financial incentives, and grassroots initiatives aimed at empowering women. From launching small-scale ventures in handicrafts and agriculture to exploring contemporary fields like technology, e-commerce, and sustainable tourism, women entrepreneurs in J&K are rewriting the region’s economic narrative. Their efforts not only contribute to the economic revival of the Union Territory but also challenge deeply entrenched gender norms, paving the way for a more inclusive and resilient society.
Women in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) have historically played a significant role in the region’s economy, primarily through handicrafts, agriculture, and family-owned businesses. The handicraft sector, which includes products such as shawls, carpets, and woodwork, has been a traditional source of income for many women. Agricultural activities also engage women significantly, particularly in rural areas where they contribute to crop production and livestock management. Family-owned businesses often see women participating in various capacities, although their roles are frequently unrecognized or undervalued.
Societal and Cultural Issues
Despite the contributions, women in J&K face a number of societal and cultural issues that restrict them from participating in entrepreneurship:
Traditional Mentality: The patriarchal societal setup perceives women as homemakers only, which lowers their entrepreneurial aspirations. This mentality affects female entrepreneurship by discouraging them to work in business and persuades them that they are less efficient than men.
Mobility Constraints: Due to the cultural bindings that see women being confined at home as their only destination, women are characterized by restricted mobility and limited accessibility to markets. This makes them far from leveraging their entrepreneurial potential.
Limited Access to Available Financial Resources: Women entrepreneurs do not have easy access to funded capital because of financial institutions’ biases about lending to female business owners. Lack of such resources coupled with a lack of capital and legal knowledge proves to be a financial barrier in initiating enterprises.
Low Literacy Rates: Female literacy rates in J&K are substantially less than male literacy rates; most women are not as literate as necessary to input effectively into business ventures. This educational disadvantage does not help them increase their capabilities to participate in the economy.
During the last few years, the initiatives and policies formulated by the government have empowered women to establish their own business whether on small scale or large. The elucidation of a few schemes I have written about are below:

Tejaswini Scheme: This scheme aims to empower young women through skill development and financial assistance. It provides training and support for women to start their own enterprises.
UMEED under the J&K Rural Livelihoods Mission: This initiative focuses on uplifting rural women by forming Self-Help Groups (SHGs) that facilitate entrepreneurship training, production of goods, and access to subsidies and interest-free loans. Women have successfully produced items like jams and pickles, enhancing their economic independence.
Start-Up India: This national initiative has been instrumental in providing financial aid, mentorship, and networking opportunities for women entrepreneurs. It encourages the establishment of startups across various sectors, including technology and e-commerce.
Hausla 2.0: Launched to build upon the success of its predecessor, this program aims to enhance financial inclusion among women by providing quality training sessions at the district level, fostering market access to their products.
These initiatives collectively offer financial aid, subsidies, and skill training programs, which are crucial for empowering women entrepreneurs. They help in building capacity, improving market reach, and facilitating sustainable business practices.

Women in Jammu and Kashmir are making remarkable strides across various emerging sectors, showcasing their talent and resilience. They are increasingly participating in hospitality services, guiding tourism activities, and promoting the region’s rich local culture. The rise of online platforms has empowered them to directly market traditional handicrafts, fashion items, and electronic goods to broader markets. In the fashion industry, women are excelling by integrating traditional crafts like pashmina weaving into modern garment designs, creating a unique blend of heritage and contemporary style. In education, women-led institutions and tutoring services are flourishing, addressing local educational demands. Meanwhile, the technology sector is witnessing a surge in women entrepreneurs venturing into tech start-ups, focusing on software development and digital services, thus carving a niche in this dynamic field.
Traditional crafts like pashmina weaving, papier-mâché, and saffron cultivation are gaining a resurgence of interest from women-led initiatives balancing traditional skills with the new business acumen.

Local Success Stories
1. Hajira Mushroom Unit:
Hajira is a mother of four who has recently set up the first-ever mushroom unit in Sempora, Zaingeer. She started this business as she had lost her husband in an accident. She is now able to generate 3 to 5 kilograms of mushrooms in a day. Many young girls have been motivated by her success to develop such entrepreneurial activities and offer scope for women in non-traditional sectors. Hajira says that without persistence and encouragement, female members can get out of traditional bounds to ensure economic independence.
2. Huzaifa Bazaz and Arifa Jan’s E-commerce Initiative:
Huzaifa Bazaz and Arifa Jan, alumni of the same MBA program, establish the shopping portal for the youth of Kashmir. After a short span of time, it has gained immense popularity amongst youth shoppers and is indicating a trend for digital entrepreneurship in the region. It is not just serving the local needs but also showing them the way to entrepreneurial career options.
3. Sakhi Café in Ganderbal:
In Ganderbal, determined young women have opened Sakhi Café. And Sakhi Café doubles up as a business as well as a community hub. This café not only gives much-needed employment opportunities to women but also provides a cusp where women can find support from their fellow sisters. The café epitomizes a growing trend in women-led businesses, which favour community engagement alongside economic success
Women entrepreneurs in Jammu and Kashmir are catalysts for economic growth and social transformation, driving progress through innovative ventures in textiles, handicrafts, food processing, and tourism. Initiatives like the UMEED scheme and “one district one product” policy have empowered women to launch businesses, create jobs, and contribute to the regional economy, despite challenges like political instability and limited infrastructure. Beyond the economic impact, these entrepreneurs challenge gender norms, inspiring societal change and fostering resilience by achieving financial independence in conflict-prone areas. To unlock their full potential, targeted financial support, skill development programs, and robust public-private partnerships are essential, paving the way for a more inclusive and progressive future.
The writer is a public speaker and a member of the Kashmir Writers Association and can be reached at musaibbilal.216061@gmail.com