Boosting Gender Integration in Social Enterprises as a Solution to Poverty

Abstract

It is widely accepted that economies and societies will prosper if women are economically engaged. However, little attention has been paid as to how social enterprises, driven by business considerations, can pursue social transformation (specifically, gender issues). A study is thus needed to study social businesses and its capacity to facilitate economic empowerment of women thus making markets more inclusive. Such an affirmation, however, poses three questions: Is capitalizing on the gender integration trend going to be enough to advance the cause of women? Is the ‘social change industry' (social enterprise sector) giving gender equity the attention and investment it deserves? Could it become a catalyst for gender integration in their value chain? The study employs a persuasive case study approach highlighting five case studies in India that are social enterprises that are employing women across India and explores the intersectionality between gender, empowerment, and employment in the context of social entrepreneurship.