Navigating Systemic Constraints from the Lens of Female Entrepreneurs in the Fashion Industry

As human society transitions in response to changing social and economic realities, certain social peculiarities often risk being overlooked. This is particularly pertinent in a world where entrepreneurship is increasingly regarded as a cornerstone of thriving economies. However, the experiences of female entrepreneurs who venture into business despite systemic constraints rooted in culture, tradition and patriarchy have received comparatively insufficient attention. This challenge may be particularly pronounced in developing economies such as Nigeria, including sectors such as the fashion industry in which women constitute a substantial entrepreneurial presence. This study therefore examined systemic constraints from the lens and experiences of female entrepreneurs in the fashion industry in Delta State. Anchored on the premises of Risk, Uncertainty and Profit Theory, the study adopted a mixed-methods research design. The target population comprised 420 registered female members of relevant fashion-industry unions and associations, with 375 valid questionnaires forming the quantitative dataset and 14 participants contributing qualitative evidence through interviews and focus group discussion. Findings indicate that credit facilities are perceived to be largely unavailable to female entrepreneurs, while perceptions of equal access to credit relative to male entrepreneurs remain contested. The study also found that 59.5% of respondents perceived their society as male-centred. Furthermore, income category was significantly associated with perceived entrepreneurial success, χ²(2, N = 375) = 35.593, p < .001. The study concludes that female entrepreneurship in the fashion industry requires systemic and gender-responsive interventions encompassing financial inclusion, investment in women-owned businesses, capacity development and measures addressing sociocultural barriers. It therefore recommends deliberate policies and institutional mechanisms to enable female entrepreneurs to overcome systemic constraints and thrive.

Female entrepreneurs, systemic constraints, financial inclusion, gender inequality, fashion industry, Nigeria

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