Small and medium enterprises and women empowerment: A study of women entrepreneurs in Dhaka city

Abstract

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) plays a cardinal role in any economy through the generation of income and employment especially in developing countries like Bangladesh. Existing gender ratio in demographic structure of Bangladesh indicates that the ratio of male and female is 100.3:100. Women being half of the population, it is impossible to think of a country’s sustainable development without improving women’s situation and incorporating women in development efforts. The main objective of this study is to show how the involvement of women in small and medium enterprise has contributed to their empowerment in Dhaka city. To make the attempt a successful one, this study first of all, reviewed the existing relevant literature along with some theoretical ideas in relation to mark the women’s empowerment regarding small and medium enterprises. Then constructing three indices specifically the following dimensions i.e. Haque et al. (2011) namely household decision making, economic decision making, and physical movement in the Bangladesh context. It formulates the conceptual framework and later constructs its methodology. The study followed the mixed method both quantitative and qualitative approaches. For the quantitative data collection, non-probability purposive sampling was selected. Total respondents were 120 who were selected purposively from various areas in Dhaka city. A Semi- structured questionnaire was prepared to collect primary data and the questionnaire consisting of nine sections: both close-ended and open-ended questionnaire were included. The analysis was based on primary data collected through personal interviews from May 3 to June 28, 2014. The data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). It was then presented in tables, graphs, and pie chart and cross tabulations and chi square were employed to systematically present the information, and to develop the relationship between independent and dependent variable. For quantitative analysis, eleven variables were taken as independent variables and women household, economic, social empowerment as dependent variables. Hypothesis testing was done by taking three hypotheses out of that all hypotheses have been accepted. So chi- square p value is p< .05 revealed that small and medium enterprise significance have positive impact on women’s empowerment in the sector of household, economic and social. In addition to the questionnaire based quantitative data collection, the study also made use of Case studies to complement the qualitative data which includes both the empowerment issues and the challenges faced by the women entrepreneurs. The study clearly indicates that limited capital is still the main problem. The other problems include lack of space and financial assistance, husband’s negative attitude and children’s complain of inadequate time form mother, competition, marketing problem and lack of publicity and so on. The majority (17.5%) women entrepreneurs are involved in beauty parlor 19 (15.8%) are involved in Boutique items which are traditionally seen as women’s arenas, not challenging sectors. The study is in line with the Liberal Feminist perspective that women’s access to income generation and employment to empower women. The study ends with a summary of findings and a number of suggestions.