Financing female entrepreneurs in cottage, micro, small, and medium enterprises: Evidence from the financial sector in Bangladesh 2010–2018

Abstract

Abstract This article examines the challenges and obstacles faced by female entrepreneurs in the cottage, micro, small, and medium enterprise (CMSME) sector in Bangladesh and shows that a combination of legislatory and regulatory reform can mitigate many of the issues that prevent women gaining from, and contributing to, this vital economic sector. Access to finance is found to be the greatest challenge faced by women in starting and operating CMSMEs in Bangladesh. This article explores the significant gender gap in access to formal credit, a gap that impacts negatively on the sector's growth and development. The article uses liberal feminist theory as a framework for analysis of the reforms. Analysis of data collected from banks and financial institutions on CMSME loans (2010–2018) shows that female entrepreneurs are treated significantly differently from men by financial institutions in Bangladesh.

Keywords

• bank and financial institutions
• cottage, micro, small, and medium enterprise
• female entrepreneurs
• gender gap
• liberal feminism