Disrupting Traditional Trends: SocioEconomic Advancement of Rural Women Entrepreneurs in Kamrup, Assam

Abstract

This research paper investigates the transformative agency of rural women entrepreneurs in Kamrup, Assam, who are challenging deepseated socio-economic and patriarchal structures. Moving beyond historical confinement to subsistence agriculture and domestic spheres, these women are utilizing entrepreneurial ventures as a pathway to autonomy, reshaping traditional gender roles. Employing a qualitative methodology with in-depth case studies, the study analyses the catalysts, obstacles, and multidimensional impacts of this shift, alongside the support ecosystems that enable it. Evidence demonstrates that entrepreneurship substantially improves financial standing, amplifies intra-household decision-making power, and elevates social standing within communities. Critical facilitators include microfinance accessibility, burgeoning digital literacy, and the collective solidarity of Self-Help Groups. Significant impediments including constrained market linkages, resilient socio-cultural norms, and inadequate infrastructure persist, curbing growth. The paper posits that fostering this entrepreneurship is fundamental not only for economic progress but as a vital driver of equitable and sustainable rural development in the region. It advocates for targeted policies that reinforce institutional frameworks, bridge the digital divide, and cultivate a more supportive socio-cultural environment to fully realize this transformative potential.