In recent years, Nagaland has witnessed a steady rise in women-led businesses. From small-scale home enterprises to registered brands making their mark across the Northeast and beyond, women entrepreneurs in the state are demonstrating resilience, creativity, and determination. They are not just contributing to the local economy but are also reshaping perceptions around leadership, gender roles, and financial independence.
Yet, behind each inspiring success story is a journey marked by both visible and invisible challenges. Limited access to capital, lack of market linkages, minimal digital literacy, and deeply rooted social norms continue to hinder many women from scaling their ventures. The problem isn’t a lack of ideas or ambition many women have strong business instincts and creative skills but rather, the absence of a robust support system to help them grow and sustain their efforts.
A significant number of women-run businesses in Nagaland are rooted in traditional skills be it handicrafts, food processing, weaving, floriculture, or local cosmetics. These sectors hold tremendous potential for expansion, especially in today’s market where there’s growing demand for handmade, organic, and locally-sourced products. However, many of these businesses remain confined to a micro-level, often operating informally and with little exposure to broader markets.
In many cases, women entrepreneurs face added social pressures. In small and closely-knit communities, stepping out to run a business is not always encouraged. Many women juggle unpaid care work, family expectations, and community obligations while trying to sustain their businesses. The lack of safe workspaces, transport, and flexible loan options further limits their ability to operate independently.
Despite these challenges, there is a positive shift. Initiatives like Women Resource Centres, self-help groups, and skill-building workshops are creating spaces where women can learn, grow, and connect with others. Notably, WENN Nagaland (Women Entrepreneurs Network Nagaland) has played a key role in mentoring, visibility, and networking bridging the gap between rural enterprise and markets.
Institutions like NABARD, SIDBI, and Startup Nagaland have also contributed through credit linkages, business fellowships, and entrepreneurship development programs, often in collaboration with women led organisation. These efforts are helping create a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem where women gain access, training, and confidence. Peer networks are equally vital. Women entrepreneurs are now more connected than before through social media, local exhibitions, and meetups. These platforms offer shared resources, mentorship, and opportunities for collaboration. They not only allow women to build confidence but also help them reach new customers, both within and beyond the state. However, if we truly aim to support and nurture women-led businesses, we must move beyond tokenism. There needs to be consistent investment in capacity building ranging from financial and digital literacy to legal awareness and business planning. Access to childcare, shared workspaces, and women-friendly banking can further ease the journey.
As Nagaland continues its path toward economic self-reliance, women entrepreneurs will remain central to that progress. The support systems are growing but there is still more to be done. With sustained encouragement and structural support, the day is not far when more women from Nagaland will scale their businesses and cater to national and global markets.
Entrepreneur School of Business, Dimapur