Entrepreneurship as a Sustainable Solution for the Female Graduates in the SME Sector of Bangladesh

Abstract

Female entrepreneurship is a sustainable entrepreneurial activity by women, individually or in a group. This relatively new phenomenon has been gaining attention in developing countries like Bangladesh. The female graduates of the country represent an important yet untapped segment of entrepreneurship. The paper critically reviews the existing literature and evaluates the current situation of this segment and finds that issues from social, cultural, legal, political, workplace and educational system contexts limit their capacity to participate in the labor-force besides their male counterparts. The issues, if not treated prudently, might adversely affect the socio-economic goals of Bangladesh. Entrepreneurship may stand as a sustainable employment solution for the female graduates, which would enable them to contribute to the Small and Medium-sized enterprises (SME) sector of the country. The article proposes practical recommendations to reinforce the initiatives by the stakeholders and suggests to make necessary policy changes in order to facilitate graduate female entrepreneurship in the SME sector, enhance sustainability of the sector and convert it into a catalyst for economic growth of Bangladesh.