Issues and challenges faced by the potential women entrepreneurs in Pakistan: a case study of Sind Province

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the issues and challenges faced by potential women entrepreneurs in Pakistan. This study focuses on their motivating factors to start their own businesses and highlights their preferences for different aspects of training and development programs. Survey through questionnaire of 400 potential women entrepreneurs was conducted to analyse issues and challenges faced by and understand their preference related to different aspects of training program. The potential entrepreneurs selected for survey were part of one training program funded by Government of Sindh and this program was implemented by Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA). The data is analyzed by using the midpoint approach. The research confirms that in Pakistan the majority of potential women entrepreneurs have preferences for women-only training program. It also identifies that only in big cities they prefer combined training program. This paper also identifies that majority of the potential women entrepreneurs prefer English language as medium of instruction during the training programs. The main motivating factor in starting their own business was their intention to support the family. This research will be helpful for public sector agencies in Pakistan which are working support potential entrepreneurs. It will be helpful in formulating effective entrepreneurship training and other support programs. It would also support the policy makers to look holistically the women entrepreneurship. This paper will provide guidelines for potential women entrepreneurs in Pakistan against challenges which they may face. Key words: potential women entrepreneurs, Pakistan, issues and challenges.