Problems and constraints of self-employed women: a case study of Patiala district

Life of self-employed women is not a bed of roses. The individual self-employed woman single handedly faces many innumerable and never ending problems. In fact, from the moment she conceives the idea to start any manufacturing activity, even at domestic level; she has to work hard against heavy odds. The problems of all women who are running different kinds of domestic manufacturing units are similar but their nature and scope vary. In patriarchal society, women have to play multiple roles. At home, a working woman is daughter, wife, daughter-in-law, and mother; at the same time she looks after her professional life. A perfect mother is worried about the perfect growth of her children. This is coupled with the narrow vision of society. This study deals with problems and constraints faced by self-employed women in starting and running domestic manufacturing unit.