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Entrepreneurship comprises business activities, possess various means of discovery, innovation, creativity and opportunities in the process of development. Even the domain of entrepreneurship is not confined to any particular gender and because of this, overall development of any society lies on gender-parity. However, women have been discriminated against men since long period, either as an entrepreneur or any other socio-economic participation. Similarly, gender-gap extensively found in India’s socio-economic context. According to the Global gender gap reports, which release its reports on every year, revealed that India is the only country where economic gender gap is greater than the political gender gap. Moreover, recent research also analyzed that economic gender gap is high in India. The main cause behind this, low participation success rate of women owing business and very few women are ready to start their business venture. Even though studies revealed that women entrepreneurship is one of the critical sources to elevate women’s role in economic sector. It is found from the researches that both men and women use various sources for opportunity but women face more challenges than men. These challenges are not only impact on women’s overall development but also it become a hurdle for the national development at macro level. Therefore, it is very keen necessity of gender-parity in the context of women empowerment in economic sphere. As India is positively marching to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) till 2030 and its fifth SDG goal is based on Gender-equality. Therefore, without boosting women’s economic participation, it is very difficult to acquire gender-parity as per the fifth goal and also difficult to accomplish the 2030 agenda of sustainable development goals. According to the UN women report mentioned that gender equality and women empowerment is not only an explicit goal under the 2030 agenda but also a driver of sustainable development in all its dimension, from ending poverty and hunger, inclusive society to secure the planet and its natural resources and promoting prosperity and inclusive growth and building peaceful environment. For example, SDGs 1, 2, 3, &4 depends on ending poverty, decent work and regular income and support better education and health and nutrition are the outcomes of better lifestyle of women. However, this report also mentioned that progress on gender equality has been highly uneven across different agenda of 2030 agenda. Labor force participation and innovation and knowledge creation having significant gender gaps and progress has been minimal. In context of this, India puts an initiative by NITI Aayog in January 2015 which evaluate the comprehensively development made by Indian states and Union territory towards the sustainable development goals. This research paper will put the concern on various NITI Aayog reports on SDGs and further it will analyze with the Global gender gap report in India.

There are very few studies available, which examine the profile of women sustainable entrepreneurs and initiative taken into their local areas as well as their sustainable growth. Having briefly reviewed their sustainable entrepreneurship scenario and their positive contribution towards environment and economy. All of the studies dealt with here are based on qualitative analysis from initiative taken by different part of the world as well as India in concise pattern.
1. Gomis et al (2020) studied the positive role of women in promoting sustainable entrepreneurship. The study explained that women as leader can change the principle of sustainable sufficiency in social values, environmental concern, empathy and justice. Women entrepreneurship have integrated approach of liberal feminist, social feminist and ecofeminist. The result of the study indicated that promotion of women entrepreneurship towards Sustainability-Oriented Entrepreneurship (SOE) can favour the success of their companies in financial markets and overcoming some gender barriers. Resources and capabilities of women entrepreneurs can be utilised through start-up of sustainable entrepreneurial companies in local environment. Although there is requirement of radical change in their educations, learning and business practices to achieve sustainable development.
2. Raman et al (2022) conducted a study on development of women entrepreneurship and along with the new analysis through the lens of sustainable development and impact of COVID-19 pandemic. For SDG, the study analysed the themes related to socio-political and small medium enterprises, including gender biases and family business management, and their implications for sustainable development. Further his study identified three major research themes of women entrepreneurship as 1. Legal gap in women entrepreneurship, including women’s property rights and inheritance rights, opening bank accounts etc. 2. Large cluster encompassing women’s cultural & social practices, such as family, care giving for children and rigid social norms for women’s expected behaviour, can impact economic outcomes and entrepreneurship. 3. Women’s lower self-efficacy and self-perfection about their skills as compared to male counterparts, which may prevent them from emerging in entrepreneurship.
3. Mukhopadhyaya (2020) analysed that women collectively run solar technology-based enterprises not only managed, sustained and scaled in rural areas but they also successfully incubate others in the community. The study also emphasized that rural energy-based entrepreneurship has proven positively consequential in contributing to community development and rural development and women transform themselves into energy entrepreneurs. Further, study explored that large number of training programmes organised by AIWC that is also micro enterprise specific for example, solar battery charger and solar cooker are meant to train women and youth to be self-sufficient. These programmes have a model of social enterprises that provides solar energy solutions and service to enhance livelihood opportunity and entrepreneurship in rural areas.
4. Marina (2020) conducted a study on green entrepreneurship management in Portugal with focus on the Azores islands. This study provides an outline of the role of green entrepreneurship in the modern world economy through a wide range of aspects as a megatrend in global economy, its share in foreign direct investment (FDI), international trade and consumption, its impact on the modern world economic development. Further, study explained that ecologization on entrepreneurship is expanding not only in big industrial and financial conglomerates but also influenced on small and medium enterprises which focused on providing green goods and solutions to the need of their communities. So far as, Portugal has been promoting integrated vision of the sectors with green growth potential.
5. Goel & joshi (2017) examined that how sustainopreneurship can lead a sustainable society by resolving the social, economic and environmental issues. This study highlighted the various aspects of sustainable entrepreneurship and explored its links to sustainable innovation. One of the aspects is social sustainability which is concerned with human rights, labour right and corporate governance. Another aspect is economic sustainability which is concerned with cross sectorial coordination. It involves classifying what effect changes in one area of the operation will have on consequent phases of production process. These phases are in agricultural sector, marine life preservation, forest wildlife system, technology enhancement etc. This study had also found four types of traits of business organiser to build sustainable: 1. Compassion 2. Diverse background 3. Capability to lead change 4. Specialisation.
Above studies are very recent which referred the women sustainopreneurship profile, impact of COVID-19 pandemic, motivation in recent trends, and gender comparison in general. Therefore, there is a shift towards green entrepreneurship in particular for women in current scenario. Moreover, despite this relative importance of women sustainopreneurship, there is paucity of literature of women sustainable entrepreneurship in India. This qualitative study try to understand the relation between women, environment and economy.

Importance of Women in Sustainable Development

Sustainable development goals were implemented in 2016 and adopted the 2030 agenda for sustainable development that includes 17 global goals with 169 targets which are an urgent call for action by the developed and developing countries in a global partnership with the principle building of “leaving no one behind”. Sustainable development recognized that ending poverty and other deprivation must go hand in hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality and spur economic growth while tackling climate change and preserve our forests and oceans. The 17 SDGs are integrated in this way that action in one area will affect outcomes in others, and that development must balance social, economic and environment sustainability. These 17 goals are listed below:

1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities.

5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth full and productive employment and decent work for all.

9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

10. Reduce inequality within among countries.

11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystem, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reserve land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

The above-mentioned goals are designed to move the world to a sustainable future by addressing the global challenges related to inequality, environmental degradation and poverty. Since, the last three decades companies and organizations perceive the linear approach in business model over the depletion of scarce natural resources to acquire own profit motive. Subsequently, it is clear that government alone don’t have the capability to accomplish sustainability on their own. It is an integrated method where government and private sector come forward and take initiative towards the new business venture.

Although, private sector can become the engine of economic and sustainable activity at the global level. Private sector is the major source of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship. In the same way, sustainable entrepreneurship in private sector plays a vital role in preservation and positive development of the basic infrastructure. Pablo Munaz (2013) argued that sustainable entrepreneurship focus on preservation of nature, life support and perceived opportunity for the future products, processes and services for gains and these gains are broadly constructed to include economic and non-economic gains to society and individuals. Therefore, economy, entrepreneurship, and environment can be a holistic approach to create new solutions and opportunities in private business venture as per the agenda of sustainable development in the present business world. however, there is need of equal opportunity of every individual. But the participation of women is very low in entrepreneurship development or any other economic participations. In contrast to this, women are the most important human resource which can connect the local areas and able to snatch the immediate opportunity to develop themselves into new concept of sustainable entrepreneurship.  In the early 1970s, an interest in women and their connection with the environment was sparked, especially by a book written by Ester Boserup entitled, Woman's Role in Economic Development. Eventually, women participation in sustainable entrepreneurship will directly attempting the goal five which is positive step for gender equality. There are many studies mentioned that women can play an important role to achieve the sustainable growth for not only economy and environment but for themselves too.

Women’s role to conserve environment in India

Women and environment are closely bounded and having intimate relation between women and nature. It is seen that women have direct contact with natural resources for example forest, fuel, land, water etc especially in rural areas. That is why women play a critical role in managing natural resources at individual level and community level. Thus, women in India, actively participate in environment protection programs to conserves the environment in several times. There are few environmental movements are explained to understand that women’s closeness towards nature. In 1731, Bishnoi’s first environmentalist movement in Rajasthan under the leadership Amrita Devi. She protested against the royal order of Maharaja Abhay Singh to cutting of Khejri trees. Amrita Devi and her three daughters were beheaded for disobeying royal order. Chipko movement was another famous movement which was started in 1973 at Garhwal division of Uttar Pradesh specially in Chamoli district. This movement was led by Sundarlal Bahuguna, Bachi Devi, Gauri Devi and women of the Garhwal area saved trees by embracing them and Chandi Prasad Bhatt, who aired the slogan of "ecology is permanent economy”. As similar to Chipko movement, Appiko movement is also an important environment movement in Karnatka which was started in 1983, to protect Western Ghats forest. Appiko Movement was initiated by Penduranga Hegde in which men, women and children hugged the trees, against the government policy to open forest for industrial development. Silent Valley movement is another environment movement led by Sugata kumari in 1976. This movement was against the decision of Kerala Government to construct dam for hydroelectric power project in silent valley forest. In 1985, Narmada Bachao Andolan also an important movement led by Medha Patkar, Baba Amte, and Arundhati Roy. This movement was against the building of a number of dams along the Narmada River. These environmental movement are mainly organised and initiated by women who gain major success not only in India but also they gain recognisation at worldwide. Therefore, the emergence of theory of ecofeminism, which is a field bridging ecological ethics and feminism that seeks to explore the similar conceptual connections between environmental degradation and sexist oppression.

Women participation and its impact on sustainable development in India

India, as a developing nation, having progressive ambitions towards the development. As now India is completed its 75 years of independence and major achievements accomplished in many sectors for example, space and technology, educations, defence, gender justice, green revolution etc. as it is one of the fastest developing country among all. Although, there is long way to achieve a sustainable development in every perspective. Combating with poverty, environmental degradation, unemployment, gender equality, India is ambitiously committed to achieve sustainable development goals and targets by 2030 in recent years. Government of India plays a major role by its flagship policies and programmes such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBM), Ujjwala Yojana, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), empowerment of women entrepreneurs (stand up India), prime minister’s small and micro industries development schemes etc. Although, a special measure taken by India to implement Sustainable Development that is NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog, a newly formed commission in January 2015. NITI Aayog released baseline reports of the sustainable development goals India Index, which comprehensively documents the progress made by India’s states and Union territory towards implementing the 2030 SDG targets and to help leaders and change makers evaluate their performance on socio, economic and environmental parameters. Till now, it released three reports of SDG India Index in which overall score in 2018 was 54 score out of 100, in 2019 with score of 60 out of 100, and 2020-2021 marking an upgrade in its performance and improved its score to 66 out of 100. Briefly, these reports can be seen in given below table where inculcate those states and union territories who were achieved highest score in every 17 goals of sustainable development:


Source: Table is calculated by the Author from NITI Aayog Sustainable development Goals website.

It could be observed from above table that very few states and union territories achieved 100 out of 100 score of the 17 goals of SDG in all the three consecutive years of 2018,2019, & 2020. The reason behind of this table to analyse those states who achieved highest score in NITI Aayog SDG reports so that we can find out the development gap among in all the states. This table clearly shown that states who achieved highest score in all the 16 goals are mainly belongs to East and West India or South India but in North India who occupy large populations for example Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh etc are unable to attain good score in any SDG goal. Even, there is very large gap between North and South India. Yes, off course almost all the Union Territories are able to achieve good score but actually they have small in number in population. As we can observed that 5th goal “ clean water and sanitation” only Gujarat state achieved 100 score and Union Territories such as Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Lakshadweep achieved 100 in 2018 but in next year in 2019 Andhra Pradesh as a only state achieved highest score 96 and only Union territories Chandigarh achieved 100 and in 2020 another state Goa only achieved 100 score and in union territories only Lakshadweep achieved 100 score. In 2020, 7th goal “Affordable and clean energy” achieved 100 score by many states and union territories such as Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Haryana, Himanchal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Union Territories such as Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh which was positive sign. In 9th Goal “ Industry innovation and Infrastructure” only Union territories such as Delhi and Puducherry achieved 100 score in 2018 but in 2019 Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu  as Union territory were achieved 100 score but further this goal declined in 2020 and not a single State and Union territory achieved 100 score as highest and Delhi as Union territory achieved only 66 score which was not positive sign for Industrial development. In 10th goal “Reduced Inequality” states such as Telangana, eastern states as Meghalaya and Mizoram achieved 100 score and Union Territory Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Lakshadweep achieved 100 score; but in 2019 not a single state achieved 100 score and only Telangana as a state achieved 94 score and only Union territory Andaman and Nicobar Islands achieved 94 score; in 2020 Meghalaya achieved 88 score and only Union territory Chandigarh achieved 100 score. In 12th Goal “Sustainable Consumption and Protection” Nagaland as a state achieved 100 score in 2019 and in 2020 Tripura achieved 99 score. In 13th Goal “Climate Action” only Union territory Lakshadweep achieved 100 score in 2019 and in 2020 it was declined by both States and Union Territory which is a negative sign to accomplished 2030 agenda of SDG. In 15th Goal “Life on Land” states such as Assam, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Manipur, Odisha, Uttarakhand achieved 100 score and Union Territory such as Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Lakshadweep achieved 100 score in 2018; In 2019 Manipur and Sikkim achieved 100 score and Union territory Lakshadweep only achieved 100 score; In 2020 all states declined their score and Arunachal Pradesh as a state achieved highest score 93 and union territory as Chandigarh achieved 85 score.   

As this research paper focused on women role in economy and environment in the context of sustainopreneurship, above table revealed that Indian states are failed to achieve good score in 5th Goal “Gender equality”. As our analysis, we find out that Kerala and Sikkim achieved 50 score as highest in states and in Union territory only Andaman and Nicobar Islands achieved 58 score as highest in 2018; In 2019, Himanchal Pradesh as a state achieved 52 highest score and Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh as union territory achieved highest score 53; In 2020 we found small improvement in Chhattisgarh as a state achieved highest score 64 and Andaman and Nicobar Island as a union territory achieved highest score 68 which is still very far for women to occupy recognised position in the society.

There is also average observation made between every Goals as according to the consecutive year of 2018, 2019, and 2020; so that it will be helpful to find out that which Goal is very close to achieve 2030 agenda of sustainable development of Global Goals and which Goal still need more effort for upcoming years until 2030. In this regard, 6th “Clean water and sanitation” achieved highest average score from the highest scored states were 98.667 and from highest scored Union territory achieved highest average score were 100. In contrast to this, 5th Goal “Gender equality” achieved lowest average score among all the Goals that is 54.667 from the highest scored states and 59.667 score from the highest scored union territory.

Furthermore, we concluded that, these reports still not very impressive in context of all the Indian states and Union Territory for the purpose of SDG 2030 Goals. All the Indian states need equal efforts and initiatives for union development. Although, these efforts not only possible by male counterparts. There is need similar contribution from the women and girls to achieve all the 17 global goals either in India or Global level.

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