GENDER AND ENTREPRENEUSHIP Continental Conference on Mainstreaming Gender into Trade Policies November 2012 Accra, Ghana"

Introduction The micro and small-scale enterprise sector plays an important role in African countries. The sector makes a significant contribution to the gross domestic product in Liberia -34.6%, Nigeria %, Kenya 19.5%, Benin % and Uganda - 20%. Based on the 2011 labour force figure of 11.5 million, (UBOS, 2011), the number of persons employed in informal sector was estimated to be 2,2 million.

Its significance is underpinned by the fact that it: Contributes 60% of the population’s total household income. Provides additional income to most people in formal employment and agriculture. Is easy to enter and exit. Provides a good entry point for women and other disadvantaged groups into commerce

In the 1999/2000 Uganda National Household Survey, 74.8% of Uganda’s 26.4 million people were engaged in economic activity % of these were women. Minnitti, et al (2004), confirms that in many countries, men are more active in entrepreneurship than women. In developing countries like Uganda, 41% of men are more likely than women to be active entrepreneurs.

MSEs and Women in Uganda Women enterprises are mainly concentrated in the informal sector and they constitute 45% of the MSEs. The majority - 92% - of business establishments in Uganda are sole proprietorships and 39% of these are owned by women (UBOS, 2003). Less than 20% of private limited companies have women owners; only 2.1% of women owners are involved in this form of business ownership.

The impact of gender on all key activities needs to be given careful consideration Women are more likely, (because of lack of information and exposure), to get into businesses that are already well served. Local businesses serve local markets there tends to be little room for expansion or growth, thus these enterprises are more often than not destined to remain small

A Comparative Analysis of Men and Women Entrepreneurs Business Structure - flatter management structures, Decision making - Use consensus building approaches and value performance results differently. De facto social entrepreneurs –finance the social support services that they deliver

Constraints Experienced By Women Entrepreneurs SMEs experience many constraints but for women it is aggravated by the gender-based obstacles.

a)Administrative constraints Women find it difficult to access institutional markets The lengthy procedure of expression of interest, acquiring bid documents (Ushs 30,000 - Ushs 100,000) Local council system of settling commercial disputes is plagued by traditional attitudes and the use of customary laws which all too often militate against women.

b)Financial constraints High interest rates and exploitative loan payment conditions from microfinance institutions b)Technological constraints – Lack the adequate technical capability, skills and knowledge in varying trades which can result in the production of poor quality products – Products are not standardised

d)Information and market constraints Women are not as readily exposed to the information and knowledge that men are. Men have more free time and as a consequence are free to do more networking. Lack of representation of women in key decision- making organs within the private sector; 700 members of UMA, (350 are active) only 22 of those active members are women. 2 positions for women on their Executive Board of 18 members.

WOMEN’S GENDER ROLES AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP The seven gender roles Oppong and Abu (1985); – Parental role behavior – Occupational role behavior – Conjugal behavior – Domestic role behavior – Individual rile behavior – Community role behavior – Kin role behavior

The roles are too many; Constraint women’s participation and performances in economic activities. Burdensome Time-consuming Unpaid for

Gender roles suppress entrepreneurial behavior of women except for occupational, individual and community which exposes women thus developing their entrepreneurial competencies

Conclusion Women have the additional burden of family and domestic responsibilities. This has the side-effect of encroaching on their capacity to generate income. The Poverty Eradication Plan, (PEAP 2005), notes that there is a persistent pattern, i.e. that ‘poverty has a female face’. Gender and entrepreneurship are interlinked and cannot be ignored if women are to be supported in business

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