A study of women entrepreneurship development in Kolhapur city Prof. Memon Shabana A. Faculty, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University Institute of Management, Kadamwadi. Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India. Abstract Entrepreneurship is a key element of growth and development prospects for all countries and it is most relevant to transition countries. Just a policy of wage employment will not solve the grave unemployment problem. A nation how so ever rich in material resources, cannot prosper if its resources are not put to productive use, for this purpose, energetic entrepreneurs are needed who can contribute effectively for national prosperity. The only solution is promotion and development of Entrepreneurship, as entrepreneurship aims at making an individual a job provider and not a job seeker. Entrepreneurship has been a male-dominated phenomenon from the very early age but time has changed the situation and brought women as today’s most memorable and inspirational entrepreneurs. The position and status of women in any society is an index of its civilization and progress. In almost all the developed countries in the world women are putting their steps at par with the men in the field of business. Women are equally competent in running business but still lacks behind in spite of women empowerment movement in our country, there are social, cultural and economic hurdles in the way of women entrepreneurship and the major problem is lack of entrepreneurial environment. In spite of having the potential and talent, women are deprived of opportunities, information and education. Around 50 women entrepreneurs in Kolhapur city were surveyed through a questionnaire and an attempt is made in this paper to highlight major issues of women entrepreneurs, identify potentialities of enterprising women who are successful and thereby provide role models for potential women entrepreneurs particularly for young women entering the labor market for the first time. Top Keywords Entrepreneurship, women entrepreneurship, transition countries. Top |