A multination study on women entrepreneurs response to COVID-19 in crisis in the global south: a feminist perspective.

Abstract

No global crisis has shocked the world economy in terms of supply and demand as COVID-19 has in terms of its intensity and impact. Given the nature and structure of their businesses, many of which are MSMEs, women entrepreneurs have been disproportionately impacted. In addition, women entrepreneurs have generally been subjected to various kinds of discriminatory behaviour, whether intentionally or not, by governments' attitudes and policies (Sekatane, 2018). Only in the 1970s did women entrepreneurs and managers start gaining some visibility and recognition (Kim & Ling, 2001). Their contribution was previously considered marginal and insignificant compared to that of their male counterparts (Adom, 2015). Now the situation has largely improved, with women's entrepreneurship rate noted as more than double that of men on a global level (Safu & Manu, 2004). The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) published in 2012 reported that an estimated 126 million women in 67 countries were engaged in entrepreneurship activities and providing employment to their family members and communities (Adom, 2015). Thus, women entrepreneurship has a positive impact on economic development and growth in every country. This has great significance in Africa, for instance, where women's productive activities account for more than 80% of food production (UNIDO, 2003), and in Asia, where women entrepreneurship has played a major role in economic recovery after the Asian financial crisis until today (Adom, 2015). Despite all the contributions made by women-owned businesses, women still face challenges in all facets of their lives due to their status in society. Women are still under subjugation and inferiority, and are prevented from working with men due to customs, traditions, and societal beliefs (Dolphyne, 2005). Furthermore, weak economic conditions and lack of infrastructure in many African countries, for example, augment the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs (Igbanugo et al., 2016; Woldie & Adersua, 2004). Consequently, in a situation of a crisis with significant impact on livelihoods, these women are forced to be more creative and resilient to survive and continue supporting their families. The recent COVID-19 pandemic created a 'life vs. livelihoods predicament' with specific trade-offs between health and economic risk. In this study, we argue that, although all businesses must adapt their business models during crises and shocks, this is particularly challenging for women entrepreneurs whose businesses are vulnerable to economic meltdowns and shutdowns (such as COVID-19 necessitated) (Manolova, Edelman, & Elam, 2020). Analysed from the perspective of feminism and institutional theory, we considered how public policy responses in the areas of economic support and public health helped to mitigate the pandemic's potential consequences. We also considered how the resilience and flexibility of women equally added to their capacity to respond to a crisis (Bonin et al., 2021). This multi-nation study evaluated the response of women entrepreneurs across the participating sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. This study asked: How — and to what extent — do women entrepreneurs' responses differ across regions and contexts within SSA, and how did support and policies differ from place to place? This study used a qualitative, discursive approach, using comparative content analysis to examine focus group data gathered from several SSA countries. The methodological approach presents preliminary country-level findings, identifies gaps in the policy–practice nexus, highlighting countries where support is weak, but the practice is strong, and vice versa. Recommendations for future research are advanced as we examine how the majority of the participants had pivoted their pre-pandemic business model.

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https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1893851