Women Entrepreneurship and Empowerment in Pakistan: Gender, Culture, Education and Policy in Broader Perspective

Abstract

This study intended to explore the gender, cultural and professional aspects of rural women entrepreneurs in Pakistan in broader perspective which constitute a contextual framework. Numerous aspects such as government policies, cultural norms, women empowerment, entrepreneurial capacity and orientation, which have shaped women entrepreneurship in Pakistan, were discussed in detail. The literature review was carried out based on research questions. Themes based on contextual framework were interpreted in the light of available reports, research studies and polices on women empowerment and entrepreneurship published by Government of Pakistan and international organizations. Gender gap, discriminatory socio-cultural system, low literacy rate and lack of economic incentives were found to be main hindrances for women empowerment.  The study concluded policy guidelines to empower women through entrepreneurship by focusing on gender equality, social status, women education and supportive economic policies for women entrepreneurs

     Keywords: women entrepreneurship; empowerment; Socio-cultural restrains; education; Entrepreneurship policy