IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND MANAGEMENT RESEARCH (IJSSMR )

E-ISSN 2545-5303
P-ISSN 2695-2203
VOL. 9 NO. 11 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56201/ijssmr.v9.no11.2023.pg231.238

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Enhancing Gender Inclusion in Financial Autonomy of the Female Stereotype in Sustainable Medium and Small Enterprises in Nigeria

Otaokpukpu Justina Njideka, Dr Nwankwo Leopold Arinze

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Abstract

Women entrepreneurs in Nigeria face deeply entrenched gender stereotyping that constrains their financial autonomy and inclusion in the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector. This paper examines barriers stemming from discriminatory socio-cultural norms and economic institutions that limit women’s access to formal financial services, assets, networks, and critical business support. It also outlines multi-pronged strategies to promote gender equality in MSME development policies and programs. These include: expanding collateral-free lending by financial institutions, strengthening access to productive resources, bolstering entrepreneurial skills training tailored to women, facilitating peer networks and mentoring, deploying ICTs to assist women-run enterprises, enacting legal/regulatory reforms, engaging men as partners, and robust monitoring mechanisms. The analysis found that targeted interventions to ease constraints around credit, asset ownership, biases in training, isolation from growth opportunities, and legal discrimination are vital to dismantle constraints inhibiting women entrepreneurs. Constructive male engagement also assists to transform misconceptions around female dependence and

keywords:

Gender Inclusion; Financial Autonomy; Female Entrepreneurs; Sustainable Enterprises; Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Gender Equality

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References:

Akanji, O. O. (2016). Non-financial constraints to women entrepreneurship development in
Nigeria. Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development, 4(1), 40-48.
Amin, M. (2020). Addressing gender in agricultural finance. Development Policy Review, 38,
O629-O648.
Aterido, R., & Hallward, D. (2017). Constraints to Small Firm Growth in Developing Countries.
World Development Report Background Papers.

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