Srinagar, Dec 16: Shagufta Khan, a postgraduate in Business Administration, always desired to set up a handicrafts unit.
Coming from a business family, she wanted to revive the craft that had given them enough.
After graduating from the Kashmir University she founded a small enterprise specializing in pashmina shawls and woolen scarves.
“It started as a hobby during the pandemic when we had ample time to do something creative. Instantly, I realized there was a global market for authentic Kashmiri craftsmanship.”
Today, her enterprise not only sustains her family but also employs 10 women artisans from villages in Baramulla.
“I wanted to show that women here can be more than just homemakers. We can be leaders, employers, and change-makers,” Shagufta added.
Shagufta is not an isolated case. For the last few years, more such women have embraced the biz sector to earn and generate livelihood.
According to data accessed by The Kashmir Monitor, women in Jammu and Kashmir own 23% of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), reflecting a growing entrepreneurial spirit among the female population.
The data reveals that out of the total registered MSMEs in Jammu and Kashmir, 154,080 are owned and managed by women entrepreneurs.
The rise of women-led MSMEs spans various industries, including handicrafts, food processing, e-commerce, and agri-business. Many women are combining traditional knowledge with modern business strategies, capitalizing on local resources to cater to both domestic and international markets.
Government initiatives and support programs like the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) and other women entrepreneurship development schemes have played a pivotal role in enabling women to start and sustain their ventures. These programs provide financial assistance, skill training, and mentorship, empowering women to overcome barriers such as access to credit and market connectivity.
Officials said the flow of women to get their units registered has increased considerably over the years. “Women have been doing well in entrepreneurship. We have several schemes which help women to set up their units. Various government departments such as industries, handicrafts, agriculture, and others assist women both technical and financial to set up their units, ” an official said.