Challenges Affecting the Performance of Women -Founded Micro-enterprisesnin Gakawa of Nyeri North District
Abstract
In spite of a variety of researches in Gakawa location, very few have paid any attention to the
challenges affecting women- founded micro enterprises in the area. This report looks at the
reasons why Women-Founded enterprises in Gakawa location collapse before undergoing a
complete cycle.
The study investigated the relationship between lack of managerial skills, lack of funds,
competition and socio-cultural factors and the performance of Women-Founded micro
enterprises. The findings showed that 76% of the women have not attended any business training
for the last two years, 67.6% were using their own savings while competition was mainly due to
source of products for sale. The women also face socio-cultural problems. The fmdings also
revealed that 71.8% of the community members were negative towards women owned businesses.
From the findings, it is concluded that training should be given to women to help improve their
profitability and lower the rate of their businesses from collapsing within a short span of time and
borrowing from micro financial institutions should be encouraged. As far as the attitudes are
concerned, the women should focus on the community needs and priorities.
It is also recommended that the micro financial institutions need to provide training to their clients
in order to under stand the importance of proper record keeping in businesses, proper utilization
of capital borrowed or owned, market education on sources of products for sale and proper
pricing of goods to attract more customers and offer room for profit making. In today's business
where there is a conscious society, there is need for a greater concern for impact on business
development by putting more funds requirements on up coming businesses. Easier access to legal
services and high quality services should be encouraged to give women micro enterprises a
competitive edge. There should be a forum to provide education, advocacy, networking, training,
professional support for women entrepreneurs, through active participation in socio-cultural
activities, business, and economic development as well as in decision making process.
Citation
Masters Of Arts Degree In Project Planning And Management, University Of Nairobi, 2009Publisher
University of Nairobi
Collections
- Faculty of Education (FEd) [5979]