Empowering Rural Women through Targeted Training: The Role of Business Skills and Digital Tools

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of targeted training interventions on the entrepreneurial success of rural women. Drawing on a comprehensive literature review and employing a robust methodological framework, the study identifies key variables, including business skills, empowerment, digital enablers and impediments, and social skills. The study is based on mixed methods. Primary survey was conducted amongst rural women business owners from Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra and confirmatory factor analysis and Structured Equation Modelling was applied to analyse the factors contributing to the training outcomes, particularly the business performance. The findings show that the development of business management skills, empowerment and digital enablers are key contributors to business success, while the impact of digital constraints and social skills on training outcomes was not significant. This research is significant as it stresses the importance of targeted relevant training courses to impart business and digital management skills to strengthen entrepreneurship in rural women.