To be or not to be a woman entrepreneur in a developing country?

Women entrepreneurs are making increasing contribution to economic growth and policy makers cannot afford to ignore this force. Yet, women entrepreneurs face challenges of higher magnitude as compared to their male counterparts. These challenges are unique to them and are more hard-hitting, pronounced and complex in developing countries. This study presents a comprehensive view of challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in developing countries, which include difficulty in accessing finance, socio-cultural biases against women and low self-esteem, existence of institutional voids, and lack of skills and entrepreneurial education. Addressing these challenges in an integrated and comprehensive manner can unleash the full potential of women entrepreneurs. This study can provide a base for further studies and is likely to have important implications for policy makers.