Challenges faced by Women Exporters: Experience of MSMEs from Africa and Asia

Women have traditionally occupied a critical social and economic role in developing and least developed countries’ (LDCs) societies. They are now willing to take a more prominent role in trade, and make an increasing part of entrepreneurship in Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). However, only few of them participate in the formal economy and engage in exports. Based on interviews conducted by civil society organisations in various developing and least developed countries in Asia and Africa, this paper analyses the gender-related barriers faced by women-run MSMEs in exporting their products.