Green Pathways to Empowerment: Advancing Atmanirbhar Bharat through Sustainable Social Enterprises, Financial Inclusion, and Green Jobs among Slum Women

In the evolving discourse on sustainable and inclusive development, social enterprises are increasingly recognized as pivotal mechanisms that bridge profit, purpose, and planetary well-being. This qualitative study explores how slum women entrepreneurs participate in impact-driven and environmentally responsible enterprises that promote self-reliance, echoing the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. The study is based on primary data collected from 30 participants (25 women entrepreneurs and 5 NGO/SHG representatives) across selected urban slums of Kolkata and Howrah, West Bengal. Drawing on semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions across selected urban slums, the research examines women’s engagement in small-scale green ventures such as waste recycling, eco-friendly crafts, and organic product distribution. Findings reveal that these women not only contribute to environmental sustainability through green jobs but also nurture inclusive micro-economies that foster community resilience and inclusive growth. Despite challenges such as limited access to finance, inadequate digital literacy, and policy barriers, their entrepreneurial spirit exemplifies grassroots innovation and self-empowerment. The dual burden of domestic responsibilities and enterprise management, however, continues to affect their work–life balance and growth potential. The study underscores the importance of integrating financial inclusion, gender-sensitive enterprise training, and supportive green job policies to enhance women’s socio-economic participation. By empowering slum women as agents of sustainable and self-reliant entrepreneurship, the paper highlights how inclusive green economies can harmonize profit, purpose, and planet—core tenets of a truly sustainable and Atmanirbhar India. Keywords: Slum Women, Social Entrepreneurship, Green Jobs, Financial Inclusion, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Sustainable Development, Inclusive Growth, Work–Life Balance