ROLE OF MICROFINANCE, WOMEN DECISION MAKING AND PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE IN WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP DURING COVID-19

Abstract

In the recent decade, the spread of COVID-19 has shown significant negative effect on the entrepreneurship activities. Particularly, it destroyed the income generating activities of poor people. Most importantly, the women entrepreneurship activities are disturbed badly which causes to increase the poverty level among women. COVID-19 restrictions limit the women entrepreneurship activities in Telangana state of India. It leads towards the vulnerable condition of women living in Telangana. Therefore, the current study proposed a framework to deal with this issue. This study proposed that; microfinance has the potential to promote women entrepreneurship activities during COVID-19. Microfinance services has vital role to enhance women entrepreneurship activities through various services which may lead to reduce the negative effect of COVID-19. Based on Mayoux's Feminist Empowerment Theory, the current study proposed that; credit, saving and insurance from microfinance institutions can promote women entrepreneurship practices through women decision making. In addition to this, the current study proposed that; previous entrepreneurial experience also has moderating role to strengthen the positive relationship between women decision making and women entrepreneurship.