Abstract: This paper is a result of a research that was conducted by one of the pioneer master students that graduated on 10th September 2015 for an award of Master of Development Studies of Gollis University. She investigated the barriers faced by women running small businesses in Somaliland and conceptualized how the former cripple them from obtaining a living income focusing on Hargeisa as a case study. Fieldwork was conducted from selected markets of within Hargeisa city where sixty questionnaires were distributed to the sixty sampled respondents to seek their own views and experiences. Participant observations and in-depth interviews were also made by the researcher herself to identify challenges largely contributing to the failure of women-owned businesses in a short-run although some of them have been sustained for more than six years. The absence of formal financial institutions come with multiple challenges uttered out by the participants themselves that included; shortage of enough starting capital, working longer hours without rest, absence of proper shelter to protect most of the products they sell from strong sunshine, lack of knowledge to manage checks and balances. Associated with poor sanitation and hygiene, the markets in which they operated lacked of toilets that causes them health problems. In addition, cultural rigidity demotivated women from operating businesses successfully. This research recommends that women engaged in small businesses should be equipped or empowered with vocational skills to increase their chances of earning more income because they are now the bread winners of their families. Government could take argent steps to address the critical issues that hinder sustainability of women businesses not only in Hargeisa but the rest of Somaliland.
Keywords: Barriers, living income, women, small business, Hargeisa, Somaliland.
Title: Understanding the Barriers to attainment of Living Income of Women in Small Business in Somaliland: A Case Study of Hargeisa, Somaliland
Author: Ayan Abdirahman Omer
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
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