Women empowerment is internationally recognized as a fundamental objective in achieving progress in all the areas of development and it refers the economic stability and improving the quality of life of women. Women comprise nearly half of the national population of any country and hence, development of any country is inseparably linked with developing the status of women. In this context, women empowerment is one of the millennium development goals. Geographically men and women share the same space, but they live in different. The status of women in most countries is low and their socio-economic conditions are miserable than that of the men. The imposition of 'social norms' has suppressed females considerably in a patriarchal society. Women play a vital role in the socio economic development of a country. But both in the developed and under developed countries, women are burdened with cumulative inequalities as a result of discriminatory practices. Although women have made notable progress in the realms of life, sprawling inequalities still persist in their access to education, health care, physical and financial resources and opportunities in the political, economic, cultural and social spheres.

"The 2012 report recognized that expanding women's agency - their ability to make decisions and take advantage of opportunities is key to improving their lives as well as the world. This report represents a major advance in global knowledge on this critical front. The vast data and thousands of surveys distilled in this report cast important light on the nature of constraints women and girls continue to face globally. This report identifies promising opportunities and entry points for lasting transformation, such as interventions that reach across sectors and include life-skills training, sexual and reproductive health education, conditional cash transfers, and mentoring. It finds that addressing what the World Health Organization has identified as an epidemic of violence against women means sharply scaling up engagement with men and boys. The report also underlines the vital role information and communication technologies can play in amplifying women's voices, expanding their economic and learning opportunities, and broadening their views and aspirations. The World Bank Group's twin goals of ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity demand no less than the full and equal participation of women and men, girls and boys, around the world." -- Publisher's description.

Reviews the position of women in society, with particular reference to their educational achievements and employment opportunities. Focuses on the potential of microcredit programmes and how women entrepreneurs affect the global economy. Assess where rural women stand in the development process today.

An exploration of women's participation in small- and micro-enterprise activities in less developed countries. Topics covered include: the human economy of microentrepreneurs; and the Swedish International Development Authority's support of women's small-scale enterprises in Tanzania.

Entrepreneurship has seen an influx of industry-leading women. With this shift, women are now impacting a mainly male-dominated field and face ongoing challenges within this domain. Examining the Role of Women Entrepreneurs in Emerging Economies is a critical scholarly resource that examines the influence and impact of women entrepreneurs in emerging economies. Featuring coverage on a broad range of topics such as women empowerment, financial management strategies, and discriminatory practices, this book is a vital resource for business managers, organizational leaders, professionals, and researchers seeking current research on women-related issues in different types of work communities and environments.