Sustainability and Rural Empowerment: Developing Women’s Entrepreneurial Skills Through Innovation

Abstract

This systematic study explores the success factors and barriers faced by rural women entrepreneurs in the artisanal sector during 2020–2024. Through a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of academic databases, 50 relevant articles that met predefined inclusion criteria were identified and reviewed. The results reveal a dynamic and collaborative research field with a focus on developing countries. It highlights the interplay of individual, social, structural, and innovation factors as key determinants of entrepreneurial success. The adoption of digital technologies and social innovation emerge as key factors, while traditional gender roles, poor infrastructure, and discrimination persist as significant barriers. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these challenges, prompting innovative resilience strategies. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the dynamics that influence the success of these entrepreneurs and underscores the need for holistic approaches that address skills development, access to resources, and promotion of innovation to empower rural women and foster sustainable development in their communities.