Prospects & problems of women entrepreneurs: a study of Dhaka City

Abstract

The study was conducted to have an overview of the existing condition of women entrepreneurs in Dhaka city in line with their problems and prospects. It was also conducted to come up with recommendations and suggestions to address existing problems to promote a gender-friendly business environment. The analysis was based on primary data collected through personal interviews spread over a period of six months. Number of total sample is (84) eighty four. Samples were taken from 15 Thanas of Dhaka city. A set of questionnaire was prepared to conduct the field survey. The questionnaire consisted of 6 sections: both closed and open-ended questions were included.

Women entrepreneurship in Bangladesh is more than just income generation. It is about working to build a more prosperous country, to lift the many millions of Bangladesh people out of poverty. It is about achieving economic independence and women’s empowerment. And it is about striving for emancipation of women's gender roles, to create a better future for generations of women to come. The study finds that women are engaged in different types of enterprises. Most of the cases show that women entrepreneurs selected their enterprises with what they were familiar. The study clearly indicates that lack of capital is still the main problem. The other major problems include absence of marketing facilities and proper sales centers. Another common barrier faced by the women entrepreneurs is balancing time between the enterprise and the family. Others constants are machinery, equipment, technology and power supply.

This study conveys the message that if the women are provided with appropriate training and need-based financial and related assistance, they will enter into the entrepreneurial occupation in a large number and will prove their worth to contribute to the economy of Bangladesh. Both the government organizations and private sector have a major responsibility to promote entrepreneurship development for women. Without their interventions the advancement of women and women entrepreneurship cannot be achieved.