Journal of African Development

In India, tribal women are among the most marginalized and disadvantaged groups, often finding themselves at the intersection of poverty, social exclusion, and limited access to resources. Despite their rich cultural heritage and traditional skills, many tribal women struggle to make ends meet, with limited opportunities for economic empowerment. However, few tribal women are breaking barriers and venturing into entrepreneurship, leveraging their unique skills and perspectives to start and run their businesses. This shift towards entrepreneurship holds promise for improving their economic prospects and contributing to the overall development of their communities. This paper aims to shed light on the experiences of tribal women entrepreneurs, exploring the challenges they face in running their businesses and identifying the opportunities available to them. Through in-depth interviews with 30 tribal women entrepreneurs of UP, this study seeks to capture their experiences, struggles, and insights, providing a nuanced understanding of the realities and potential of tribal women entrepreneurship.

Furthermore, this study culminates in targeted recommendations designed to empower and support entrepreneurs from the tribal areas of Uttar Pradesh, fostering a more conducive environment for their businesses to thrive.