TY - JOUR T1 - Women Entrepreneurs in Developing Nations: Growth and Replication Strategies and Their Impact on Poverty Alleviation JF - Technology Innovation Management Review Y1 - 2015 A1 - Hina Shah A1 - Punit Saurabh KW - developing nations KW - poverty alleviation KW - women entrepreneurs KW - women entrepreneurship KW - women entrepreneurship development programs AB - The need to improve the status of women and the promotion of women's roles in development are no longer seen merely as issues of human rights or social justice. Investments in women are now widely recognized as crucial to achieving sustainable development. Economic analyses now perceive that low levels of education and training, poor health and nutritional status, and limited access to resources not only repress women's quality of life but limit productivity and hinder economic efficiency and growth. Therefore, the development of opportunities for women is imperative, not only for reasons of equity but also because it makes economic sense and is "good development practice". The article describes the status and background of women in South Asia and highlights the need to create women entrepreneurs for poverty alleviation. Although some women do start micro-level businesses to support themselves and their families, the contribution is minor and many of these businesses are unlikely to grow or are not viable over the long term. Thus, this article focuses on women entrepreneurship development programs in light of the challenges and regional variations facing women entrepreneurs in South Asia and identifies nine areas where such programs can be strengthened. Their successful replication and implementation, in India specifically and South Asia generally, is discussed for an international audience to raise awareness of the challenges women and support institutions have faced in achieving success in fostering women entrepreneurship. It is hoped that this narration of the Indian and South Asian experience will assist in its replication in other developing nations. PB - Talent First Network CY - Ottawa VL - 5 UR - http://timreview.ca/article/921 IS - 8 U1 - International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Career Development Hina Shah has been an entrepreneur since 1978 in the field of plastic packaging. She is currently Director of the International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Career Development (ICECD) in Ahmedabad, India. In 1986, she has transformed her own entrepreneurial experience into this developmental initiative, which has facilitated thousands of disadvantaged youth, with a special focus on women, in becoming entrepreneurs in India and around the world. U2 - International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Career Development Punit Saurabh is senior faculty member at the International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Career Development (ICECD) in Ahmedabad, India. His research interests include innovation management and entrepreneurship development, and he has varied experience in product funding and commercialization. His interests also include international affairs, healthcare, and women entrepreneurship. ER -