Gender Disparity, Regional and International Business Mobility: Enablers and Challenges for Women Entrepreneurs
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58197/2xdhsc47Keywords:
Women Entrepreneurs, Business Mobility, Cross-Border Trade, Empowerment, Gender Divide,Abstract
This study explores the gender divide and the dynamics of regional and international business mobility for women entrepreneurs, through the lens of 37 students at the Catholic University of Rwanda whose mothers engage in cross-border trade. The central hypothesis posits that despite systemic gender barriers, targeted enablers and strategic interventions can significantly improve women’s participation in regional and international business. The objective was to examine students’ perceptions of the challenges faced by their mothers, the influence of gender on development-related mobility, and potential strategies to enhance women’s capacity in cross-border business. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining structured questionnaires and focus group discussions. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequency analysis and correlation tests, were used to analyze responses. Key challenges identified include limited access to finance (76%), socio-cultural biases (81%), and restrictive legal frameworks (62%). Enablers highlighted include women’s entrepreneurial resilience (89%), regional integration policies (57%), international business opportunities for women (69%) and digital platforms (65%). The findings reveal that students perceive their mothers as resilient drivers of household and community development, yet constrained by gendered barriers. Scientific analysis confirms a significant relationship (p < 0.05) between supportive policies and increased business mobility. The study concludes that empowering women entrepreneurs through policy reform, education, mindset conversion and digital access is essential to bridge the gender divide and foster inclusive economic development. The students advocate for multi-stakeholder efforts to overcome cultural and structural challenges, recognizing women as key agents of socio-economic transformation
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