Problems Faced by Women Entrepreneurs in Today’s World

Despite the struggle, protest, and efforts women put in, they continue to face significant obstacles in various areas. Well, unfortunately, starting and growing one’s own business is one among them. Business, like direct selling, is a field where women struggle to progress and find their own space. Our society still does not allow women to achieve their goals and live their dreams. The fact that business is largely perceived as a man’s area doesn’t help us women, right? Furthermore, in a world where society does not trust a woman to lead a company, what else can we expect? Now, let us look at some of the problems women entrepreneurs face, particularly when they enter this arena.

Obtaining funding and capital can become extremely difficult

Funding is one of the major problems faced by women entrepreneurs in general in the field of business. For starters, they are less likely to have access to capital than men. Second, even if you manage to procure capital or investment from an investor or a bank loan officer, the need for capital doesn’t end there, right?

One cannot fathom how much money one will need for their business plan to succeed. This can be a hefty sum, especially when they meet roadblocks in the form of regulations or competition from larger companies. Another major problem faced by female entrepreneurs is the lack of role models.

Lack of representation

Fewer women have started their businesses, and those who do frequently face obstacles to success. Women are extremely underrepresented in the field of business. This generally makes it difficult for other women and thereby make it more difficult for them to succeed as entrepreneurs.

For example, research shows that men are more likely than women to start businesses with friends or family while still in school and are far more likely than their female counterparts to capitalize on such opportunities. This means that many new entrepreneurs today are unaware of how valuable it can (or cannot) be for them!

Traditional responsibilities and expectations

Women are frequently expected to be the primary caregiver for their children. This responsibility bestowed upon their shoulders makes it extremely difficult for them to start a business. That means women are tied down to more responsibilities which subsequently prevents them from investing much time in work as men. The extremely high childcare costs, as well as the requirement to take more time off work to care for children, will present a roadblock in their path towards success.

Some of the other problems faced by female entrepreneurs due to the significant social and familial pressure that poses a threat to their professional careers, especially a businesswoman, are numerous. Let’s list some of them here.

Adhering to gender stereotypes and playing the role assigned to you by society as a stereotypical mother, daughter, wife, daughter-in-law, etcetera, who find happiness in others’ success and sacrifice themselves.
The social pressure for getting married and having children. This has forced many women to suffer and bury their talents and passions because they are stripped of their options. In a country like India, where still a section of women aren’t allowed to educate themselves or work and earn on their own, their fate and trajectory of their life are solely controlled by their male counterparts. Society’s stigma of being a working mother who leaves their child back home also contributes steadily to this stereotype.
Adhering to cultural norms regarding motherhood is another huge roadblock in the life of every woman. Usually, children are used as leverage to block the progress of the women and confine them into the interiors of the house. The cultural norm that adheres to women as the sole parent responsible for the child’s welfare doesn’t help the women’s situation much.

To Conclude

Hence, one can state that, despite the progress we find in society, most women continue to face disadvantages when it comes to starting their businesses. Women are underrepresented in politics and business when compared to men; only 17% of Fortune 500 CEOs are female. This lack of representation can be attributed to several factors, including lower access to capital and gender stereotypes that discourage women from pursuing careers outside the home (e.g., childcare costs). A lack of role models at all levels who look like them or understand what they’re going through as entrepreneurs.

These are some of the problems women entrepreneurs face on a day-to-day basis. While there has been significant progress, and women are more now entering the business world than ever before, there is still a long way to go before gender equality is achieved. Women still face discrimination in areas such as access to capital, childcare costs and underrepresentation among political leaders.