Challenges for Afghan Women Led Small and Medium Enterprises and Suggested Solutions: A Thematic Analysis

Abstract

The purpose of this research paper is to explore challenges women-owned small and medium enterprises currently face in Kabul, Afghanistan and means overcome these challenges. For achieving the said objectives author applied constructed open ended questions to develop themes evolving research question. The author conducted interview from 16 women-led small and medium enterprises, then through Attride-Stirling method, went through all stages started from transformation of information to cods for the purpose of basic , organizational and global themes. Major findings suggest that the main challenges of women small and medium enterprises are Lack of financial resources and support, none-availability of specific market and platform for business development in Afghanistan, high bureaucracy in government procedures and documentations for business registration and taxation. Besides, social and environmental barriers always exist due to lack of education and family support as well as gender discriminations. Similarly factors such as political, economic and instability is can have their adverse effect on business development in country. This report presents some possible solutions like governmental relaxation in procedures and documentations. Study further recommends the government to provide facilitation of business incubation center, low interest business loan, entrepreneurship training programs to improve women small and medium enterprises. JEL Classifications: M0, M1