Women in African Economies

Small businesses run by women are a vital part of the Ugandan economy. The author, long-time development professional and founding Director of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), here argues that by boosting women’s entrepreneurship with positive policies and actions, policy makers and international investors can counter poverty while giving the world an economic justice and growth model. It is the first major research on the topic for twenty years. Seventy-four case studies are presented by the author, and allow Ugandan business women – farmers, merchants, entrepreneurs and leaders of groups concerned with micro and small enterprises – to speak for themselves about their successes and failures, and to give advice to those thinking about starting up.