Ascertaining The Challenges Faced By Women Entrepreneurs in Ethekwini Municipality, Kwazulu-Natal Province

Abstract

Female entrepreneurs both in the informal and formal sectors play a crucial role in building and sustaining economic growth and development. The  aim of this study was to investigate the challenges that women entrepreneurs in eThekwini Municipality experience. Employing a quantitative  research approach, data was collected using a web-based questionnaire survey developed specifically for this study. A simple random probability  sampling technique was used to determine the sample of 107 women entrepreneurs in eThekwini Municipality who participated in the study. The  findings of this study revealed that there are many challenges that women entrepreneurs in eThekwini Municipality experience: access to credit  facilities and finances; lack of awareness of business support services; lack of mentors; poor access to business networks; gender discrimination;  lack of confidence; lack of entrepreneurial training; no access to profitable markets; lack of information; balancing family role and business; various  societal norms and expectations; and lack of business management skills.