FICCI FLO Calls for Stronger Support to Women Entrepreneurs
FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO), the national apex body of businesswomen, on Friday emphasized the urge to augment support and empower women entrepreneurs who will, in turn, contribute to developing the country's economy. The government launched schemes and initiatives such as Drone Didi and Ladli Behen Yojana for increasing women's employment. However, the Economic Survey 2024-25 exhibited the huge disparities in the numbers of women's employment and entrepreneurship in the nation.
It revealed that just 22 per cent of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India are owned by women.
"Not only is this a statistic, but it is a call to action. A call for us to raise the game, support, and empower women entrepreneurs because their success is the success of our economy", FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) President Joyshree Das Verma stated during FLO's award ceremony for women MSME's in the national capital.
"Women-owned MSMEs are drivers of innovation, jobs, and economic resilience. The more we empower them, the more powerful our country becomes", Verma added.
She also spoke about the MSME Assist Cell at FLO -- an initiative to mentor women entrepreneurs through financial management, compliance, and market access and provide them with the appropriate mentorship, resources, and opportunities to tap into government schemes.
"Because when we enable women entrepreneurs, we enable families, communities, and the overall economy", Verma said.
The FLO President added that the organisation had received 104 applications for the MSME awards this year.
“It is a testament to the sheer talent, perseverance, and ambition within our FLO network. The competition was intense and let me say this: every single applicant here tonight is a winner in their own right. The awards may recognise a few, but every woman who took that step forward, who challenged norms and pursued her business dreams, is a part of India’s entrepreneurial success story,” she said.
The platform, which offers skill development, policy advocacy, economic participation, and leadership mentoring, equips women to shatter barriers and move forward with confidence.
