Factors that hinder the growth of women owned entreprises in Kajiado county

Abstract

Women-owned enterprises are now more common in developing countries such as Kenya. Studies show that women have increased in business but most of them are only in the small and medium enterprise sector. Many of the MSEs have grown out of self-help groups that have been formed by women groups and youth groups’, community organizations and other non-state actors and play a very important role in provision of services in the county. Micro-enterprises are especially important to women since it gives them a chance to be self-employed and also run their household chores. Women are involved in economic activities such as promotion of education, capacity building, health, provision of water through sinking of boreholes, construction of dams, pans and sand dams and rehabilitating of the nutrition and disaster response. The objective of this study was to analyze the specific factors that affect growth of the women owned. There are many varied reason why businesses succeed and others fail. Lack of access to finance, technology, markets and information also affect growth of enterprises. Women do not make enough income sufficient for their households needs and therefore cannot afford nanny care for their children. This increased demand in time between home and work leads to lack of time for business and time to update their skills. This study adopted a descriptive case-study research approach since it utilizes elements of quantitative research methodologies. The descriptive research design attempted to define the factors that slow down growth of female businesses in Kajiado County. The study utilized primary and secondary data obtained from women groups, department of social services and county government leaders. The study established that women owned enterprises faced other unique challenges that are related to gender roles that are unique to different societies. Women are the caregivers in most homes leaving less time for running enterprises. The study recommends that more investment should be made on women education and training which will give them more skills and also increased their chances of building more networks in the business environment.