As a woman entrepreneur, my expectations from the upcoming budget are rooted in addressing the gender disparity in the workforce. To narrow the gap, I suggest introducing incentives for rural women entering the workforce, encompassing subsidies for household expenses and utility bills. If put into action, this initiative will encourage financial independence for women and drive growth in rural income. Furthermore, it is imperative to translate existing policies into corporate action. Granting benefits like tax holidays and government funds access to companies embracing maternity leave and gender-equal pay will propel execution. Additionally, facilitating more women to become founders requires offering financial grants and streamlined access to prestigious institutions like IIT/IIM incubators and accelerators. This will not only foster female entrepreneurship but also contribute to a thriving and diverse business ecosystem– said Ms Sakshi Bakshi, CEO of EPIA
