WOMEN´S ENTREPRENEURSHIP PHENOMENON: REGIONAL ASPECT

Abstract

The purpose of the article is a comprehensive analysis of women’s entrepreneurial activity in the Ulyanovsk region, taking into account the ongoing state support measures within the framework of legal regulation. The study uses a comprehensive approach to the study of the phenomenon of women’s entrepreneurship: an analysis of the scientific literature on this issue, a review of the regulatory framework governing entrepreneurial activity, and an examination of support measures for women entrepreneurs implemented in the country as a whole and the Ulyanovsk region in particular. The study’s findings characterize a social situation in which women realize their potential not only through motherhood but also through the opportunity to run their own business. According to the authors the current state agenda aimed at supporting traditional family values and large families is not supported by effective legal regulation mechanisms and measures to support women entrepreneurs. It was revealed that the Ulyanovsk region in terms of the proportion of women entrepreneurs (almost 50% of the total number of small and medium-sized businesses) corresponds to the average Russian indicators, but is inferior to the leading regions). An analysis of actual measures to help women entrepreneurs (the Mom Entrepreneur contest, the Businesswomen’s Forum, the work of the My Business Center, etc.), and the activities of public organizations based on materials from the Ulyanovsk region demonstrated a wide range of opportunities and prospects for the development of this area, but revealed their fragmentation and lack of a systematic approach. During the discussion, a conclusion was reached that it is necessary to clarify the legal definition of the concept of “women’s entrepreneurship”, and to develop special assistance measures and targeted criteria for supporting businesswomen with children. The conclusion affirms the advisability of further involving women in the business environment and creating conditions for combining motherhood and self-realization in the business community through legal and organizational mechanisms.