Problems, Challenges and Prospects of Female Entrepreneurs in Gwagwalada, Abuja

This paper seeks to discuss female entrepreneurs and the challenges theyface. Women in the last decades have made significant progress in obtaining responsible positions in the organizations. This paradigm shift is as a result of laws governing equal opportunities and equal pay; fair employment practices; changing societal attitudes towards women in the work place; and organizations’ desire to place qualified women in managerial positions to project a favourable image. Many women are becoming more educated and the idea that a woman should stay at home, baby sit, cook, go to market, take care of the children and the home is no longer current. The number of women who are gainfully employed increases per day. Girl-child education is also on the increase in Nigeria. This study was conducted in Gwagwalada Area Council, F.C.T Abuja. The population is about one hundred and fifty seven thousand people .The mean age is 41.59 ± 9.652. Female entrepreneurs despite the problems and challenges they have faced in business are unrelenting and have continued to make meaningful contributions to their family, the area council and the nation. This paper among many issues will focus on the nature, the role and the characteristics of women entrepreneurs, the role of economic and political developments in enabling the women to start their own business, types of businesses women engaged in sources of finance and other resources, the challenges women face in business; failures and secrets to their successes, and the future challenges