Women entrepreneurs in Gujarat
Ahmedabad: Three Gujarat cities have featured among India’s Top 5 million-plus cities for the share of businesses owned by women, according to Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) 2025. The figures come from Union ministry of statistics and programme implementation (MoSPI)’s estimates covering 46 million-plus cities, classified as cities with a population of at least 10 lakh according to the 2011 Census.
For mid-stage businesses, policies such as women entrepreneur parks in GIDCs, where plots are offered at heavily discounted rates, are helping women set up enterprises,” said Pathik Patwari, chairperson of ICC Gujarat. Vinod Aggarwal, former chairperson of CII Gujarat, said women were increasingly starting independent ventures, moving into traditionally male-dominated sectors and taking on larger roles in family businesses. Traditional industries have been expanding, while women are increasingly entering sectors such as finance,” he said. Aggarwal said improved literacy, greater awareness among urban and rural families and Gujarat’s law-and-order situation had contributed to women’s growing economic independence. “With more women entering the workforce and entrepreneurship, family incomes have also increased, eventually improving people’s purchasing power,” he said.
Experts attributed the strong showing by Gujarat’s cities to the state’s startup ecosystem, policy support, easier access to finance, rising literacy and the growing participation of women in family businesses and independent ventures. “There are multiple factors driving women’s entrepreneurship in Gujarat. At the seed stage, the growth of the startup ecosystem and higher grants are encouraging more women to enter business. “Entrepreneurial spirit runs high in Gujarat. Many family businesses also see women diversifying into their own ventures. We have also seen a flurry of startups.