International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue VIII, August 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

Exploring Challenges Affecting Women Entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe: The Case of Proweb

Linience Tsitsi Charuma¹, Josphat Nyoni ², Oliver Kapepa^3
1Women’s University in Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe
²Women’s University in Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe
³Colonnade Business Leadership School

Abstract: This research aimed at exploring the challenges affecting women entrepreneurs in the construction sector in Zimbabwe. The study was guided by the pragmatism philosophy and hence adopted a mixed research orientation. The study was based on a descriptive research design. Self-administered questionnaires and interview guides were used for primary data collection. Data was collected from 310 women entrepreneurs in the construction sector in Zimbabwe. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software. Results from the study showed that cultural and social factors, limited access to education, limited access to funding and work life and family balance were challenges affecting the growth and success of women entrepreneurs in the construction sector. The study concluded that a variety of factors ranging from social discrimination, cultural perceptions, inferiority complex and harsh economic factors were constraining the growth and success of female operated entrepreneurs in the construction sector. Based on these conclusions, the study recommended that government must provide significant targeted financial support to the female enterprises in the construction sector to capitalize them so as to make them competitive. More vigorous awareness programs are also required to support women’s voice as well as to effect changes from engrained patriarchal cultural norms. It is also recommended to adopt and operationalize collaboration, integration among female entrepreneurs in the construction sector so as to foster mentoring schemes. Empowering female entrepreneurs in the construction sector to be more aggressive in the marketing their construction works. A deliberate gender equity in the recruitment of more females in construction programs in universities and colleges is also critical to ensure that females possess the required skills and expertise in construction works.

Type of Paper: Empirical

Keyword(s): Women, entrepreneurship, challenges, business, culture, finance, education

I. INTRODUCTION

In most developing countries, the construction industry is one of the primary sub-sectors that contributes to the gross domestic product (GDP) (Jimoh, Oyewobi, Adamu and Bajere 2016). According to them, the sector generates 70% of fixed capital formation and accounts for 3% of GDP. The construction industry is one of the industries that has been identified as having the potential to contribute to a country’s economic development. Over three million individuals are projected to work in the business as professionals, administrative personnel, operators, and laborers (Odubiyi 2018). Jwasshaka and Amin (2020) estimated that the sector