Economic Empowerment and Entrepreneurship: Strengthening Tribal Women's Livelihoods in India

Economic empowerment of tribal women is a crucial dimension of inclusive and sustainable development in India. Tribal women constitute a significant portion of the tribal population and play a vital role in household sustenance, agriculture, forest-based activities, and traditional crafts. However, their economic contribution often remains undervalued due to limited access to education, finance, markets, and entrepreneurial opportunities. Entrepreneurship has emerged as a powerful tool for strengthening tribal women’s livelihoods by promoting self-reliance, income generation, and socio-economic participation. This paper examines the role of economic empowerment through entrepreneurship in improving the livelihoods of tribal women in India. It highlights the contribution of self-help groups, micro-enterprises, skill development initiatives, and government schemes in fostering entrepreneurial capacities among tribal women. The study also identifies major challenges such as lack of financial inclusion, inadequate infrastructure, market constraints, and socio-cultural barriers. The paper concludes with policy suggestions aimed at strengthening tribal women’s entrepreneurship for sustainable livelihood development and economic empowerment.