International Women's Day 2026: Women across India-- from villages, tier III-tier II cities to metropolitan places-- are increasingly stepping into the world of entrepreneurship, breaking the stereotype--where women were limited to doing household activities only. Now, they are launching startups, running small to large-scale businesses, and leading innovative ventures across sectors. The change that we witness today is a result of decades of efforts through governance and policies, a clinical shift in socio-economic conditions, and the ascend of forward-looking thinking within society. On the back these, the landscape for women in the world of entrepreneurship has evolved significantly--especially in the past decade, with more young women breaking traditional barriers and taking charge as founders and decision-makers.
However, amid navigating the challenges and opportunities to build sustainable and scalable businesses, financial protection often remains an overlooked aspect. According to experts, as women entrepreneurs are thriving in their leadership roles, they should also understand that today's business environment possesses some potential uncertainties--operational disruptions, damages to assets, cyber risks, and health emergencies. A close strategy for insurance planning could safeguard both their personal finances and business interests.
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"Women entrepreneurs today are building strong and innovative businesses, but protecting that growth is equally important. Insurance is often looked at only as a safety net, but it actually helps founders deal with unexpected situations like liability claims, cyber threats, operational disruptions, or damage to business assets. Having the right covers, such as general liability, professional indemnity, cyber insurance, or business interruption insurance, can help entrepreneurs manage risks with greater confidence while focusing on growing their ventures," said Jonika Jain, Chief Human Resource Officer, Edme Insurance Brokers Ltd, for the Women's Day story.
"In today's environment, where businesses are exposed to geopolitical tensions which can disrupt trade, supply chain and cross-border operations, having a comprehensive insurance cover becomes even more critical. As more & more women take up the entrepreneurial journey, having the right insurance will help ensure their businesses stay protected when unexpected risks arise," Jain added.
According to Vaibhav Kathju, Founder, Inka Insurance, a woman entrepreneur must have the right mix of health insurance, term insurance, Asset Insurance and Employees Insurance in her portfolio for overall protection.
Health Insurance: For women entrepreneurs, maintaining good health is essential to managing both personal responsibilities and business commitments. Medical emergencies can disrupt both family and business operations, making comprehensive health insurance extremely important. A good health plan helps cover hospitalisation and treatment expenses, ensuring that unexpected medical costs do not affect financial stability or business continuity.
Term Insurance: Term insurance is important for any entrepreneur who has financial dependents. In the unfortunate event that something happens to the primary earning member, the policy provides financial security to the family. For women entrepreneurs, this protection offers peace of mind and allows them to focus on growing their business while knowing their loved ones will remain financially supported.
Asset Insurance: Women entrepreneurs should ensure that key assets related to their business are adequately insured. This could include office equipment, inventory, machinery, or property. Asset insurance protects against risks such as fire, theft, natural disasters, or accidental damage, helping the business recover quickly from unexpected losses.
Employee Insurance: If the business employs staff, providing employee insurance coverage is an important responsibility. Health or accident insurance for employees helps create a secure and supportive work environment. When employees feel protected, it increases trust, motivation, and productivity within the organisation.