Analysis of Women Economic Empowerment through SME Entrepreneurship and Barriers to Sustainability: Case Example of Bangladesh
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64229/j363hg56Keywords:
Economic Empowerment, Women Entrepreneurship, SME Sector, Barriers, SustainabilityAbstract
The rise of women entrepreneurship in Bangladesh has been impressive, with women making significant contributions to both household income and the country's GDP. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in boosting Bangladesh's economic development, where women make up half of the population. Historically, women in Bangladesh faced great physical and emotional trauma during the early years of national development, causing many to retreat into their homes. However, the introduction of micro-credit systems, access to small loans, and technological advancements have empowered women to step outside and participate in economic activities. As a result, many women have entered the SME sector, aiming to improve their societal status while supporting their families. SMEs generally require low investment and have a high success rate, making them an accessible pathway for women to become entrepreneurs. Through this sector, women not only gain personal independence but also create employment for others, inspiring more women to engage in economic activities. These women entrepreneurs have become role models for others. Nevertheless, barrier such as limited access to funding, lack of education and training, insufficient marketing skills, family responsibilities, restrictive social norms, poor infrastructure, lack of information, and limited mobility hinder their sustainability in the sector. To overcome these barriers, strong support from both public and private sectors, along with effective government initiatives is essential.
References
[1]Desai, V. (1999): "Dynamics of Entrepreneurial Development and Management, 3rd ed., Himalaya Publishing House, Mumbai.
[2]Kirzner, I.M. (1997): "Entrepreneurship Discovery and the Competitive Market Process: An Austrian Approach". Journal of Economic Literature, vol.35, pp.60-85.
[3]Schumpeter, J., (1911): "The theory of economic development". Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. (Revised editions in 1961)
[4]Ahmed, M.U., Mannan, M.A., Razzaque, A., and Sinha, A., (2004): "Taking Stock and Charting a Path for SMEs in Bangladesh", Bangladesh Enterprise Institute, Dhaka.
[5]Das, D.J. (2000): "Problems faced by women entrepreneurs", in K. Sasikumar (ed.), Women Entrepreneurship. New Delhi, Vikas Publishing House.
[6]Raju, G. (2000): "Women entrepreneurship development through DWCRA", in K. Sasikumar (ed.). Women Entrepreneurship. New Delhi, Vikas Publishing House.
[7]Sharma, D. D., & Dhameja, S. K. (Eds.). (2002). Women and rural entrepreneurship. Abhishek Publications.
[8]Sinha, S. (2005): "Developing Women Entrepreneurs in South Asia: Issue, Initiative and Experience". UNESCAP, pp.14-22.
[9]Alauddin, M., & Chowdhury, M.N. (2015): "Small and Medium Enterprise in Bangladesh-Prospects and Challenges."
[10]Shetty, M. (1964): "Entrepreneurship in Small Industry". THE ECONOMIC WEEKLY, pp.917-920. Retrieved from https://www.epw.in/system/files/pdf/1964_16/22/entrepreneurship_in_small_industry.pdf
[11]Jahan,N. (2018): The power of SMEs. Retrieved from https://www.thedailystar.net/star-weekend/business/news/the-power-smes-1639576
[12]UNDP (2004): "Human Development Report 2004", Oxford University press.
[13]AFROZE, T., ALAM, M., AKTHER, E., & JUI, N. (2014): "Women Entrepreneurs in Bangladesh- Challenges and Determining Factors". Journal of Business and Technology (Dhaka), vol.9, no-2, pp.27-41.
[14]Ahammad, I., & Huq, S. (2013): "Women Entrepreneurship Development in Bangladesh Challenges and Prospects". INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT, vol.2, no-7, pp.41-48. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281115595_Women_Entrepreneurship_Development_In_Bangladesh_Challenges_And_Prospects
[15]Haque M, Itohara Y. (2009): "Women Empowerment through Participation in Micro-Credit Programme: A Case Study from Bangladesh". J. Soc. Sci., vol. 5, no-3, pp.244-250.
[16]Braun P (2011): "Endeavour research fellowship, project report, Centre for regional innovation".
[17]BBS (2009): Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Statistical Division, Ministry of planning, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
[18]Begum, R. (2002): "Entrepreneurial Performance of Women Entrepreneurs in Bangladesh". Journal of Business Studies, Dhaka University, vol.23, no-2, pp.341-353.
[19]Chowdhury, M. (2011): "Emerging women entrepreneurs in SMEs". Retrieved from http://archive.thedailystar.net/suppliments/2011/anniversary/part7/pg3.htm
[20]Moudud-Ul-Huq, S., Ahammad, I., & Khan, A. G. (2013). Performance evaluation of SMEs-A special focus on small-sized businesses at Tangail district in Bangladesh. Global Journal of Management and Business Research Administration and Management, 13(8), 37-42.
[21]Chowdhury, S. R. (2011). Impact of global crisis on small and medium enterprises. Global Business Review, 12(3), 377-399.
[22]Allen, I. E., Elam, A., Langowitz, N. & Dean, M. (2008): "2007 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report on women and entrepreneurship". Babson College: The Centre for Women's Leadership.
[23]Kumari, S., Kaushik,V. and Lodha, N. (2010): "Problems Faced by Rural Women Entrepreneurs of Rajasthan". Study Home Common Science, vol.4, no-2, pp. 115-119.
[24]Parasuraman, S., Purohit, Y., & Godshalk, V.M. (1996): "Work and family variables, entrepreneurial career success and psychological well-being". Journal of Vocational Behavior, vol.48, no-3, pp. 275-300.
[25]Shamim, M. (2008): "Building Women in Business: A Situation Analysis of Women Entrepreneurs in Bangladesh". Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce And Industry (BWCCI).
[26]Fatima, K., & Ahmed, S. (2017): "The SME sector has the highest opportunity to create employment in Bangladesh": Mustafizur Rahman | CPD. Retrieved from https://cpd.org.bd/sme-sector-highest-opportunity-create-employment-bangladesh-mustafizur-rahman/
[27]Rahman, M. (2010): "Barriers to Women Entrepreneurship in Bangladesh". BRAC Development Institute (BDI). (August) pp.8-37.
[28]Awwal Sarker, M.A. (2006): "The Role of Women in the Development Process: An Islamic Perspective". Islamic Economics Research Bureau. July. Dhaka.
[29]Fisher, H. E., (1999): "The First Sex: The Natural Talents of Women and How They are Chanting World". New York: Random House.
[30]Rinkal, D. & Sneha. (2004): "Women Entrepreneurs--Critical Issues. Proceedings of the 11th Summer Camp on Entrepreneurial Stimulation for Children from May". pp. 2-7.
[31]MIDAS (2009): "Women Entrepreneurs in SMEs: Bangladesh Perspective". SME foundation. (November)
[32]Islam, M. A., Khan, M. A., Obaidullah, A. Z. M., & Alam, M. S. (2011). Effect of entrepreneur and firm characteristics on the business success of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Bangladesh. International journal of business and management, 6(3), 289.
[33]Bakht, Z., & Basher, A. (2015): "Strategy for Development of the SME Sector in Bangladesh". Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies.
[34]Rabbani, A., Khan, A., Yusuf, S., & Adams, A. (2016). Trends and determinants of inequities in childhood stunting in Bangladesh from 1996/7 to 2014. International journal for equity in health, 15(1), 186.
[35]Eusuf, M. A., Shahan, A. M., Khaleque, M. A., & Rana, E. A. (2017). The shared roles of the central bank, commercial banks, and women chambers in promoting innovative financing models for women-led SMEs. Dhaka: Collaboration between the Asia Foundation and Center on Budget and Policy, Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka.
[36]Kabeer, N. (2001). Conflicts over credit: Re-evaluating the empowerment potential of loans to women in rural Bangladesh. World development, 29(1), 63-84.
[37]Tasneem, S., & Biswas, M. (2014): "Role of Cottage Industry in the Economic Development of Bangladesh: An Empirical Study". European Journal Of Business And Management, vol-6,no-28, pp.192-201.
[38]Rabbani, G., & Chowdhury, M. S. (2013). Policies and institutional supports for women entrepreneurship development in Bangladesh: Achievements and challenges. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science, 2(1), 31-39.
[39]Alamgir, M., Mezbahuddin, M., & Jashimuddin, M. (2007). Role of bamboo-based cottage industry in economic upliftment of rural poor of Chittagong, Bangladesh. Journal of Bamboo and Rattan, 6(3-4), 157-164.
[40]Hasan, M., & Neela, N. (2015): "Socio-Economic Status and Current Business Situation of Cane Based Furniture Entrepreneurs in Bangladesh: An Empirical Study". Journal of Business and Technology (Dhaka), 10(1), pp. 93-108.
[41]Singh, P. (2011): "TELLING STORIES THROUGH NAKSHI KANTHA". Retrieved from https://www.heifer.org/
[42]Hossain, D., Kazal, D., & Ahmed, D. (2012):" SME Development in Crops, Livestock and Fisheries in Bangladesh: Fundamentals, Reasons and Achievements".
[43]Rahman, S. R., Islam, M. N., Harun-ur-Rashid, M. D., Siddiki, M. S. R., & Islam, M. A. (2019). Dairy buffalo production under intensive system in semi-arid area of Bangladesh. Buffalo Bulletin, 38(1), 83-98.
[44]Islam, M. A., Khan, M. A., Obaidullah, A. Z. M., & Alam, M. S. (2011). Effect of entrepreneur and firm characteristics on the business success of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Bangladesh. International journal of business and management, 6(3), 289.
[45]Sakkhor, A. N. H. (2018). Living Condition: A Case from Developing Country (Bangladesh).
[46]Ellitan, L. (2003): "Resources role in increasing influence of technology Producvity". Journal of Management & Entrepreneurship, Vol. 5, No. 2.
[47]Sankaran, M. (2005). Micro credit in India: an overview. World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 1(1), 91-100.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Tasnia Bahar Chowdhury, Asif Reza (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
