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ABSTRACT
The study aimed to identify and describe the needs of women entrepreneurs in the province of Tarlac, Philippines. Recognizing the crucial role of women entrepreneurs in economic growth has inspired the researches to focus on this particular sector. Key quantitative and qualitative data were gathered to capture their characteristics, concerns, capabilities and needs. Results of the study were made bases in crafting an intervention program to address their problems and what they lack as business owners/leaders to become truly instrumental in stimulating economic activity that will spur growth in the area. Eventually, the creation of a Business Development Center for Women is proposed to serve as a comprehensive unit to address the needs of women for them to become viable and sustainable business owners/mangers and become effective partners towards inclusive growth and eventually development.
Keywords: Business development center, Women Entrepreneurs, Roles of Women
1.INTRODUCTION
Entrepreneurship creates new jobs and stimulates economic activity vital to the development of a country. In the Philippines, where female labor force participation as well as unemployment rates are found to be increasing, entrepreneurship can offer new opportunities for women to generate their own income, and help others as they do it. Hence, women entrepreneurship is increasingly being recognized as one of the important factors for economic growth.
However, despite increasing economic activity, there is a dearth of quantitative information on the profile of women-owned enterprises from which policy making bodies as well as program developers can get input from. There is a growing need for primary data that could capture the characteristics, concerns, capabilities and needs of women entrepreneurs which could help policymakers and other institutions like banks, non-government organizations, and trade associations to design interventions that can provide assistance in the development of women entrepreneurship. It was noted that one of their problems in the business operation is the lack of management skills and skilled workers, since they are in the introductory stage; they lack the experience to operate and manage, Catubay-Panlilio, J., (2014), Rufino, H D. (2015).
Hence, this study was conceptualized primarily and initially to identify and describe the needs of the women entrepreneurs in Tarlac as basis in crafting a development program and eventually in creating a center that will provide assistance and...