Ndau Women, Informal Cross-Border Trade and the Changing Socio- Economic Dispensation in Zimbabwe

Entrepreneurship and women’s economic empowerment in Zimbabwe: Research themes and future research perspectives

“…The authors examined how female entrepreneurs devise strategies of working around patriarchal barriers for them to succeed in the small business sector. Mutsagondo et al 2016;Muzvidziwa 2015;Nyamwanza et al 2012;Osirim 2003) because the country is highly patriarchal and perceives females as less capable than males (Mboko & Smith-Hunter 2009). Additionally, the gender status of women in Zimbabwe is defined by social relationships, which are embedded in historical systems that influence women's involvement in a capitalist economy.…”

“…Similarly, women in Zimbabwe are mostly driven into entrepreneurship because of harsh economic, political and social circumstances (Wrigley-Asante 2013). Drawing from the literature on women entrepreneurship in Zimbabwe, it can be argued that the majority of people (including women) have suffered from the adverse effects of the economic and political crises that http://www.td-sa.net Open Access the country is experiencing (see Chamlee-Wright 2002;Mazonde & Carmichael 2016;Mboko & Smith-Hunter 2009Moyo & Kawewe 2002;Mutsagondo et al 2016;Muzvidziwa 2015;Nyamwanza et al 2012;Osirim 2003). To illustrate this, Osirim's (2003) study reveals that women with no academic qualification were forced to establish microenterprises because of limited employment opportunities.…”

“…death or illness of a spouse, divorce and other unforeseen personal circumstances). Today, many women bear a disproportionate share of the burdens of economic and social deprivation both as breadwinners and as caretakers (Moyo & Kawewe 2002;Mutsagondo et al 2016;Muzvidziwa 2015;Nyamwanza et al 2012). The income generated by women from entrepreneurial activities not only contributes towards household resources but also raises their self-esteem (Chamlee-Wright 2002).…”

“…The literature on women entrepreneurship in Zimbabwe has documented the adverse economic conditions as a major hindrance to the growth and development of women enterprises (see Chamlee-Wright 2002;Chitsike 2000;Mauchi et al 2014;Mazonde & Carmichael 2016;Mboko & Smith-Hunter 2009Mutsagondo et al 2016;Muzvidziwa 2015). Challenges related to adverse economic conditions include devaluation of the currency and rampant inflation, which negatively affects the cost of raw materials and business planning (e.g.…”

“…Challenges related to adverse economic conditions include devaluation of the currency and rampant inflation, which negatively affects the cost of raw materials and business planning (e.g. Mazonde & Carmichael 2016;Mutsagondo et al 2016;Osirim 2003). Other challenges are cultural barriers, lack of education, access to capital, lack of business skills, inability to own land and other key assets, family responsibilities and cumbersome business licensing and registration procedures (e.g.…”