The Challenges Facing Small-Scale Women Entrepreneurs: A Case of Kenya

Abstract

The study sought to identify the challenges facing small scale women entrepreneurs in Kenya and initiatives put in place to counter the challenges. The study employed desktop research. MSEs Baseline survey, recorded that 612,848 women in Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in Kenya, accounting for 47.4 per cent of all those in MSEs. The study showed that women tended to operate enterprises associated with traditional women's roles, such as hairstyling. The small and micro enterprises (SMEs) play an important role in the Kenyan Economy such as creating jobs however they face serious challenges such as lack of finance, discrimination, problems with the city council, multiple duties, poor access to justice, lack of education, among others. The study established that many stakeholders from both public and private sector are helping empower women entrepreneurs in Kenya: such as formation of women enterprise fund, establishing of women's university of science and technology, formal and informal financial support, and donor initiatives among others have been put in place. The study recommends that women in entrepreneurs need to be accepted and supported financially, legally and more capacity building should be made available. Further research is recommended in this area.

Economic Empowerment of Malaysian Women through Entrepreneurship: Barriers and Enablers

“…For knowledge, skills, abilities and other attributes (KSAOs), the findings are consistent with research findings of Benard and Victor (2013); Commission (2009); Qureshi et al (2014);Gayathridevi (2014);Mwobobia (2012);Palaniappan, Ramanigopal and Mani (2013);and Niazkar and Arab-Moghaddam (2011). These researchers found that lack of management skills, fear of failure, low level of education, lack of information and knowledge and lack training are barriers to women starting up a business.…”

“…Past researchers suggest that lack of education act as a barrier for women entrepreneurship (Benard & Victor, 2013;Gayathridevi, 2014;Mwobobia, 2012;Palaniappan, Ramanigopal, & Mani, 2013). The responsibility of women in childcare and household tend to be the reason for women entrepreneurs' low rate in terms of skill and literacy programs training (Richard, 2013).…”

“…Formal network, networking and dealing with hostile business environment are further identified as business related barriers (Ademokun & Ajayi, 2012;Benard & Victor, 2013;Benjamin, 2012;Gayathridevi, 2014). Socio culturally induced constraint such as discrimination, stereotypes and isolation are further barriers to women's entrepreneurship (Benard & Victor, 2013;Benjamin, 2012;Gayathridevi, 2014;Mwobobia, 2012).…”

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“…The programme helped these entrepreneurs start up more rapidly, while also increasing the profitability and management of their businesses (De Mel et al, 2013). Training and development is also particularly valuable for women micro-entrepreneurs who may have completed only a few years of formal education, as these training programmes can help overcome knowledge gaps in running a successful business (Mwobobia, 2012). At the same time, training programmes need to take due account of the time that women spend on household and care responsibilities, as time-intensive programmes may lead to higher female dropout rates (Valdivia, 2011).…”

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“…For instance according to the Kenyan National Bureau of Statistics (2014) Enterprising Project (WEP, women may fail to participate in these programs due to family commitments. Mwobobia (2012) noted that when business training is available, women may not be able to take advantage of it because it is held at a time when they are looking after their family. Thus, women may lack opportunities to develop entrepreneurial human capital through education.…”