Women Engagement in Business: Evidence from Community Based Cross-Sectional Study in North Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction: Overall the World, women have great developmental contribution constituting half of the population. However, in many societies of developing countries, there is deep rooted socio-cultural practices which limited women`s access to economic resources like finance, property and credit.. Though women`s involvement in business activities articulates holistic development, they are more engaged in domestic activities and informal sectors. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess women`s engagement in business in the case of North Gondar Zone, northwest Ethiopia.Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in three districts and one town administration of the zone: Dabat, Dembia, Gondar Zuria, and Gondar Town in April 2016. Using multistage sampling technique data was collected via semi-structured questionnaire from 500 married women. Data were entered into Epi-Info 3.5.1 and transferred to SPSS 20 for analysis. The results: The result indicated that only 26.7% of the respondents have their own business. Among the main reasons mentioned for not starting business included lack of money (64.2%), lack of knowledge (14.2%), and other hindrance factors mentioned were committment to child care (7%), unwilling husband (5%), and lack of motivation (4%). However, most of the respondents (95.7%) were found interested to start business in the future if they get the opportunity. Conclusion: The women`s involvement in business was found minimal.

Keywords: women, business engagement, North Gondar Zone