What is it about?

This systematic literature review delves into the gender dynamics of entrepreneurship development in Bangladesh. Employing rigorous research methods, including thorough search strategies, data extraction, and thematic analysis, the review synthesizes academic literature to uncover challenges confronting women entrepreneurs. The findings underscore significant obstacles such as limited access to formal financial resources, societal norms reinforcing traditional gender roles, inadequate training opportunities, and barriers to networking and mentorship. Government initiatives, including Women Entrepreneur Development Associations, reserved quotas, and microcredit programs, are highlighted as efforts to mitigate these challenges and promote gender-inclusive entrepreneurship. Women-led enterprises are shown to make substantial contributions to job creation, local economic growth, and income redistribution, while also enhancing women's decision-making power and challenging gender norms. The review advocates for targeted policies, improved access to capital and skills development, and awareness campaigns. Recommendations include eliminating gender-based financial discrimination, expanding mentorship programs, and promoting public awareness to challenge stereotypes. Future research directions are outlined, including investigating policy effectiveness, technology's role, experiences of marginalized communities, and long-term impacts. By addressing these areas with evidence-based policies, an enabling environment can be fostered where women entrepreneurs thrive, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous society. The review serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders dedicated to advancing gender-inclusive entrepreneurship in Bangladesh and beyond.

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Why is it important?

The systematic literature review on gender-inclusive entrepreneurship in Bangladesh holds significant importance for several reasons: Addressing Gender Inequality: By examining the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, the review sheds light on the pervasive gender disparities within the entrepreneurial landscape. It underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing these disparities to promote gender equality in economic participation. Economic Development: Women-led enterprises play a crucial role in driving economic growth, job creation, and income redistribution. Understanding the barriers faced by women entrepreneurs is essential for harnessing their full economic potential and maximizing contributions to national and local economies. Social Empowerment: Women's entrepreneurship not only contributes to economic development but also enhances women's decision-making power and challenges traditional gender norms. Empowering women economically can have ripple effects, leading to greater gender equity and social empowerment within communities. Policy Implications: The review provides insights into the effectiveness of existing government initiatives and policies aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs. It offers recommendations for policy improvements and highlights the importance of evidence-based approaches to create a supportive environment for women-led businesses. Research Guidance: By identifying gaps in existing literature and suggesting future research directions, the review guides further scholarly inquiry into the nuances of gender-inclusive entrepreneurship. This can lead to a deeper understanding of the issues at hand and inform more targeted interventions and policies. Practical Applications: Stakeholders such as policymakers, development organizations, and business leaders can leverage the findings of the review to inform their strategies and initiatives aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs. It serves as a practical resource for designing programs that address the specific needs and challenges faced by women in entrepreneurship.

Perspectives

From a personal perspective, this publication is incredibly insightful and timely. As someone interested in gender equality and economic development, I find the systematic exploration of gender dynamics within entrepreneurship in Bangladesh particularly enlightening. It highlights not only the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs but also the significant contributions they make to the economy and society as a whole. The findings of this review underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions and policy reforms to address the systemic barriers hindering women's full participation in entrepreneurship. It's disheartening to learn about the gender biases, societal norms, and structural constraints that continue to limit women's access to resources and opportunities in the entrepreneurial sphere. However, it's also encouraging to see the efforts being made by governments and other stakeholders to support women entrepreneurs through initiatives such as Women Entrepreneur Development Associations and microcredit programs. Moreover, I appreciate the emphasis on the broader social impacts of women's entrepreneurship, including its role in challenging traditional gender norms and empowering women economically and socially. This highlights the interconnectedness of gender equality and economic development and underscores the importance of a holistic approach to promoting women's entrepreneurship. As someone committed to promoting gender equality and social justice, this publication serves as a valuable resource and inspiration for advocating for change. It reinforces the importance of evidence-based policies and interventions aimed at creating a more inclusive and equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem where women can thrive. I'm also intrigued by the recommendations for future research, as they provide opportunities to delve deeper into understanding the complexities of gender-inclusive entrepreneurship and identifying innovative solutions.

Md Mehedi Hasan Emon
American International University Bangladesh

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This page is a summary of: Exploring the Gender Dimension in Entrepreneurship Development: A Systematic Literature Review in the Context of Bangladesh, Westcliff International Journal of Applied Research, January 2024, Westcliff University,
DOI: 10.47670/wuwijar202481mhemnn.
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