Chapter 1: Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Growth for Female Entrepreneurs in the Global South

This book redefines growth, gender and entrepreneurship in the Global South, advocating for equitable and sustainable economic models. Editors and authors in this book challenge neoliberal, gender-neutral frameworks, exposing barriers such as market exclusion, financial inaccessibility, unpaid care work and the digital divide. By integrating feminist economics, gender and development studies, and participatory research, the edition positions women entrepreneurs as agents of transformation rather than passive participants. Through empirical case studies from Burundi, India, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Morocco, and beyond, the book highlights resilience, innovation and policy-driven interventions, advocating for gender-sensitive financing, public investment and community-led entrepreneurship. Authors in this book explore formalisation pathways, cooperative business models and strategies to navigate institutional constraints, emphasising women’s leadership in economic development. Ultimately, this edition offers a global yet locally grounded perspective, illustrating how women entrepreneurs resist marginalisation and reshape economies, ensuring their inclusion is central to sustainable development in the Global South.