Challenges Affecting the Performance of Women -Founded Micro-enterprisesnin Gakawa of Nyeri North District

Abstract

In spite of a variety of researches in Gakawa location, very few have paid any attention to the challenges affecting women- founded micro enterprises in the area. This report looks at the reasons why Women-Founded enterprises in Gakawa location collapse before undergoing a complete cycle. The study investigated the relationship between lack of managerial skills, lack of funds, competition and socio-cultural factors and the performance of Women-Founded micro enterprises. The findings showed that 76% of the women have not attended any business training for the last two years, 67.6% were using their own savings while competition was mainly due to source of products for sale. The women also face socio-cultural problems. The fmdings also revealed that 71.8% of the community members were negative towards women owned businesses. From the findings, it is concluded that training should be given to women to help improve their profitability and lower the rate of their businesses from collapsing within a short span of time and borrowing from micro financial institutions should be encouraged. As far as the attitudes are concerned, the women should focus on the community needs and priorities. It is also recommended that the micro financial institutions need to provide training to their clients in order to under stand the importance of proper record keeping in businesses, proper utilization of capital borrowed or owned, market education on sources of products for sale and proper pricing of goods to attract more customers and offer room for profit making. In today's business where there is a conscious society, there is need for a greater concern for impact on business development by putting more funds requirements on up coming businesses. Easier access to legal services and high quality services should be encouraged to give women micro enterprises a competitive edge. There should be a forum to provide education, advocacy, networking, training, professional support for women entrepreneurs, through active participation in socio-cultural activities, business, and economic development as well as in decision making process.