JEFMS Journal

ABSTRACT:

Female entrepreneurship is an import factor not only in economic development but also in the realization of gender equality and social inclusion. This paper discusses women/female entrepreneurship, one of the most important socio-economic phenomena in the gender equality agenda.
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to show cause for elevation of women entrepreneurship as an appropriate and effective response to gender discrimination more so considering the manner it empowers women and enhances social inclusion.
Approach
Through a desk-based approach, research has been conducted that entailed a strategy of searching some of the most common social and business databases using key words related to entrepreneurship in general and women entrepreneurship in specific.
Findings
Overall, it emerges (as presented herein) that women entrepreneurship is an appropriate and effective response to gender discrimination more so considering how it elevates women in society, empowers them economically, and ensures gender equality as well as broader social inclusion hence a more cohesive society.
Limitation
A notable limitation in the context of this paper is that most of the benefits uncovered (as contained in pertinent literature) mainly relate to the economic aspect, while it is known that there are other non-economic benefits of women entrepreneurship that deserve equal attention and discussion in the same respect.
Practical Implications
The paper gives insight as to what policymakers and other actors in the broader social movement need to do to empower women and improve their welfare in society, mainly by supporting and encouraging women entrepreneurship.
Value
The value of this piece is indisputable when the benefits of entrepreneurship are considered in unity.

KEYWORDS:

Women entrepreneurship, gender disparities, economic empowerment, gender discrimination, social inclusion.

REFERENCES:

1) Ali, M. (2015). Effect of gender inequality on economic growth. Case of Pakistan. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 6(3), 125-133.

2) Bastian, B.L., Metcalfe, B.D., & Zali, M.R. (2019). Gender inequality: Entrepreneurship in the MENA region. Sustainability, 11(6472), 1-26.

3) Bosma, N., & Kelley, D. (2018). Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2018/2019 Global Report (Global Entrepreneurship Research Association). Wellesley: Babson College.

4) Cardella, G.M.,Hernández-Sánchez, B.R., &Sánchez-García, J.C. (2020).Women Entrepreneurship: ASystematic Review to Outline theBoundaries of Scientific Literature. Frontiers in Psychology, 11(1557), 1-18.

5) Carranza, E., Dhakal, C., & Love, I. (2018). Female entrepreneurs: How and why they are different. Washington, DC: Jobs Umbrella Multidonor Trust Fund, World Bank.

6) Choudhry, A.N., Mutalib, R.A., Ismail, N.S.A. (2019). Socio-cultural factors affectingwomen economic empowerment in Pakistan: A situation analysis. InternationalJournal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 9(5): 90-102.

7) Durrani, N.,&Halai, A. (2018). Dynamics of gender justice, conflict and socialcohesion: analyzing educational reforms in Pakistan. International Journal of Educational Development 61: 27-39.

8) Kyalo, T.N.,& Kiganane, L.M. (2014). Challenges facing women entrepreneurs’ inAfrica-A case of Kenyan women entrepreneurs. IJAMEE 1:1-8.

9) Li, C., Ahmed, N., Qalati, S.A. (2019). Impact of gender-specific causes on women entrepreneurship: An opportunity structure for entrepreneurial women in rural areas. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Organization Management, 8(1), 19.

10) Margoya, J.A., Morales, D.C., Carvajal, R.P. (2020).Entrepreneurship and gender: A comparative perspective ofLatin America and Ecuador.Revista Espacios, 41(3), 1-7.

11) Pathak, S., Goltz, S., &Buche, M.W. (2013). Influences of gendered institutions on women’s entry into entrepreneurship.International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior& Research, B19, 478-502.

12) Welter, F., Brush, C., & De Bruin, A. (2014). The gendering of entrepreneurship context. Retrieved on January 4, 2021, from https://ideas.repec.org/p/zbw/ifmwps/0114.html

13) Wu, D. (2013). Measuring change in women entrepreneur’s economic empowerment: A literature review. Working Paper, September 2013, The Donor Committee for Enterprise Development.