Cultivating an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for Women in Rural Gilgit: Policy Recommendations and Strategies

Abstract

Female business owners are a relatively new phenomenon that has recently gained a lot of attention, featuring an active participation in the development of the society and economy. Another factor that has a bearing on female entrepreneurship tendencies of the area is the unique socio-cultural structure of Gilgit-Baltistan area. This research looks into several issues that women in business in Gilgit, Pakistan have to endure. They investigate the various challenges that women experience when pursuing their passion of being entrepreneurs in various fields. Thus, the role of social and cultural expectations, financing, legal and policy environments, education, family and community support, networking, and visibility in female entrepreneurship in Gilgit is investigated in detail. The research undertaking uses a simple random sampling technique to sample a group of rural Gilgiti women entrepreneurs and by so doing, the research operation utilizes a quantitative research method. Questionnaires were used as the major means of data collection and they were structured. Therefore, this large-scale research aims at identifying specific barriers that limit the engagement of rural women in Gilgit in business. This paper has identified that rural women entrepreneurs in Gilgit experience certain challenges and constraints to entrepreneurship, which stem from cultural and social factors, and inadequate resources. In highlighting the possibilities of the matter, the study focuses on policy interventions and legislative changes to improve the opportunities.