Entrepreneurship embodies the spirit of innovation, creating self-employment, generating job opportunities, and propelling economic growth. In a developing country like Pakistan, and particularly in the least developed province – Balochistan, the significance of women’s entrepreneurship cannot be overstated. The multifaceted economic and social benefits of empowering women through entrepreneurship contribute to poverty reduction, diminish inequality, foster societal development, and drive progress.
Balochistan, like many other parts of the developing world, grapples with gender-based disparities in entrepreneurship. These challenges, rooted in social and cultural issues and limited resource access, hinder women’s initiatives. Despite these obstacles, there are success stories reflecting the province’s entrepreneurial potential. Hence, it is crucial to spotlight the challenges women face in entrepreneurial endeavors and how to overcome them.
In Balochistan, gender inequality is at its peak, exacerbated by the authorities’ inability to generate equal employment opportunities amid a serious economic crisis. Empowering women through entrepreneurship becomes imperative in such distressing times, not only for job creation but also for tackling inequality. However, women’s entrepreneurship in Balochistan faces numerous impediments that hinder its growth.
In this resource-scarce province, female entrepreneurs often encounter financial constraints when initiating ventures. The lack of a proper facilitating mechanism, coupled with cumbersome government loan procedures and stringent requirements from commercial banks, further impedes progress. Additionally, the complex process of establishing a new business poses a significant hurdle, lacking a streamlined procedure for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Moreover, there is a dearth of financial and entrepreneurial skill training in the province, hindering the promotion of a culture that enhances capabilities. These obstacles result in women business owners facing greater difficulties than their male counterparts, lacking essential resources, training, and support to reach their full potential.
In 2021, 25,000 students in Balochistan graduated from various universities, but only 2,000 secured employment opportunities, highlighting a severe employment crisis in Pakistan. Balochistan, despite its potential, grapples with the highest unemployment rate in the country, lagging behind other provinces in socio-economic indicators. Poor resource management, a lack of technological skills, government indifference, and a lack of job prospects contribute to this concerning trend.
The National Incubation Center (NIC) in Quetta serves as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, fostering the growth of startups and small businesses by providing a supportive environment, mentorship, and access to valuable resources. NIC Quetta’s programs boast successful female-led startups, such as Plates of Flavor, an online baking business initiated by three Hazara sisters. Another success story is Lubna’s entrepreneurial venture, turning a small ice cream pushcart into one of Balochistan’s most prosperous ice cream companies.
To promote women entrepreneurship in Balochistan, it is essential to establish more educational and training programs and centers like NIC in the province. Female university students should be encouraged to engage in entrepreneurial activities, supporting traditional crafts and industries. Women entrepreneurship in Balochistan promises economic growth and social empowerment. Despite challenges, the resilience, determination, and innovative spirit of women entrepreneurs in this region shine through. With continued support and investment, women’s entrepreneurship in Balochistan can flourish, paving the way for a better and inclusive future.
