Constraints Affecting Women In Micro And Small Enterprises In Kasipul Constituency Homabay County- Kenya

ABSTRACT

The important role that entrepreneurship plays to combat unemployment, disparities in wealth distribution and alleviation of poverty should not be underestimated.Women entrepreneurship is faced by many challenges. This study sought to determine challenges that women entrepreneurs are facing in the running of their businesses in Kasipul constituency. The objectives of this study were; to analyze the key factors affecting the performance of women entrepreneurs, the types of industries they are likely to engage in and recommendations on how to promote the women entrepreneurs. The study was guided by Pearson’s ‘Gender Theory’. Descriptive research was used to generalize characteristic of the study population and to show the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. The target population was 536 women owning MSEs enterprises located in Kasipul constituency using random and stratified sampling. These were; construction, textile, food and beverages and beauty enterprises. A sample of 30% was drawn from each stratum to get a sample size of 160 respondents. Primary data were collected using questionnaires and interview guide. Questionnaires were selfadministered through drop and pick to sample members of the women enterprises for findings from the respondents. The data were then analyzed using descriptive methods particularly frequencies and percentages. Data presentation was done by the use of pie charts, bar graphs, percentages and frequency tables. For qualitative data, which were mainly gathered from open-ended questions, a qualitative data checklist was developed. The study revealed that shortages of assets (human, social and financial) and multifarious socialization trends contribute to negative performance of women entrepreneurs in MSEs. Practical recommendations are suggested to Government and women entrepreneurs to overcome these obstacles and to ensure that women entrepreneurs can sufficiently contribute to the economy and empower themselves economically