The problems hindering women entrepreneurs' involvement in Small-Scale business in Nyeri town

Abstract

This study aimed at determining the problems that women entrepreneurs have had to contend with in their businesses. It zeroed in on four main areas related to the problems, these include: multiple roles, socio-cultural attitude, limited resources of business finance, low levels of education and training. A descriptive research design was used in this study. The population consisted of One hundred and twenty (120) women entrepreneurs in Nyeri Town. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select the fifty (50) participants. A questionnaire and interview guide were used to collect data. Generally the study showed that most women entrepreneurs in Nyeri are faced with financial difficulties which inhibit their businesses growth. They attributed this o their inability to access credit and high interest rate. The findings also revealed that multiple roles performed by women entrepreneurs slow down their progress and involvement. The challenges related to socio-cultural attitude is no longer a major obstacle to women involvement in businesses. Majority of the women entrepreneurs are educated which support the importance of education in running and managing of business, but there appeared to exist low entrepreneurial (innovativeness) skills. This limited entry and growth avenues. There is a positive gradual change on the way the society view women entrepreneurs today. However, more should be dome by the government and the society to ease the multiple roles played by women, by providing a suitable infrastructure for small businesses. The government should make every effort to access to financial assistance to women entrepreneurs and establish more colleges and training institutions to equip them with management skills, business training and more importantly entrepreneurial skills.