Violet Economy: Challenges and opportunities for students of technical and technological education institutes

Abstract

This study focuses on the purple economy, viewed as a socioeconomic inclusion strategy, seeking to address the gender inequality gap by focusing on the opportunities and challenges for female students. The study aimed to analyze the purple economy, its challenges, and opportunities for female students at higher technological institutes, centered on the ITCA Higher Technological Institute. It was developed based on a mixed methodology, incorporating a quantitative approach by conducting surveys with a group of 126 female students from the School of Business Education, Production, Services, and Security, both in-person and online. These surveys allowed for the identification and characterization of sociodemographic variables, the degree of knowledge about the purple economy, their sources of income, and the barriers they perceived in relation to entrepreneurship. Additionally, the qualitative paradigm was applied in the bibliographical and documentary research, which enabled a critical interpretation of the empirical findings. The results indicate that, despite female students' interest and willingness to pursue entrepreneurship, a lack of specialized knowledge, limited funding, and a lack of support networks limit their participation in initiatives focused on the purple economy. Furthermore, an institutional gap persists, demonstrated by the lack of gender-sensitive courses focused on entrepreneurship in the academic curriculum. The purple economy represents a crucial opportunity to foster economic self-sufficiency among female students; however, comprehensive policies and programs are needed to strengthen entrepreneurial capacities.