The contribution of female entrepreneurs to socio-economic development : Study of the role of female Entrepreneurs in social and economic development in Badalkumbura Division in Monaragala District, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Entrepreneurship has a leading role in socio- economic development worldwide. It has usually been considered as a male dominated activity. However, many recent studies emphasize how significant the contribution of women to the entrepreneurship today. The role of women in development is becoming significant in world wide. This research is to examine the contribution of women entrepreneurs to the socio- economic development of Badalkumbura Division. This study recovers the main entrepreneurial activities that female entrepreneurs engage in, the characteristics of female entrepreneurs, the motivating factors for female to engage in entrepreneurial activities and how women entrepreneurs contribute to the socio-economic development. The study was carried out in Five Grama Niladari Divisions (GNDs) in Badalakumbura Division. Instrument used for data collection was primarily questionnaire and interview. The sample is 50 and 41 faced for the interviews. The descriptive research design was adopted for the study. Female entrepreneurs are engaging in the activities of grinding grains, animal husbandry, producing mushroom, making foods, floriculture, beauty culture, sewing carpets, making grooms, making candles, making concreate ornaments, sewing garments, selling garments, making spice packets and making tea packets. Majority of women engage in entrepreneurial activities because of financial reasons. There can be seen a significant contribution to the socio-economic development by women entrepreneurs.