INTRODUCTION

Women entrepreneur were just about one on third of all people involved in
entrepreneurial activity. Women entrepreneur are as well as men entrepreneur a source of
wealth and growth. Entrepreneurship leads to innovation. Theoretically this have been
one key argument since the work of Schumpeter (1934) linking the entrepreneur activity
to create destruction in the market by fostering innovation.

Recognizing the importance of emerging women in entrepreneurs in creating a

vibrant dynamic economy for the nation. The Malaysian Government has been actively
promoting women entrepreneurship towards realising Malaysia‟s Vision 2020. However,
there are some factors, issues and challenges on influencing performance of women
entrepreneur particularly in Malaysia.

It is not surprising that the number of women entrepreneurs in Malaysia has

increase in the past three decades due to the emphasis on industrialisation, and growing
interests in privatisation, self-employment and business-oriented employment. It was
found that Malaysian women have been increasingly involved in various enterprises
which were formerly male-dominated (Maimunah, 1996).

It is clear that the Malaysian Government has been actively involved and
concerned about women entrepreneurship development in last decades. This is to ensure
that women entrepreneurs are not left out from the process of national and economic
development, particularly in important sector such as information and communications
technology (ICT) and bio-technology, in order for the country to successfully realise
Vision 2020.

According to Buttner (2001), the management styles of women entrepreneurs was

best described using relational dimensions such as mutual empowering, collaborations,
sharing of information, empathy and nurturing. Female negotiating styles have been
shown to be different from men (Heffrnan, 2003). Based on the several materials that
have been reviewed, the discussion below will be more geared towards the advancement
of women in the Asian region and some examples of entrepreneurial development,
particularly in Malaysia. Things will be explored is the participation and contribution of
women in the world of entrepreneurship. Eliminating gender-based discrimination or

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 exploitation, safety and health issues for women entrepreneurs, recognizing the
contributions of women in economic development.

2.0 PARTICIPATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF WOMEN IN

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Women who constitute half the population was equally contribute to economic
growth (Baron,R.A.&Shane, S.A.2005. Entrepreneurship: A Process Perspective).
However, the participation rate of women in the labour market remains low at between
44.0 to 46.4 percent in the period 1991 to 2007, compared with men, between 79.5 to 85.3
percent. Meanwhile, total labour force in 2007 was 10.9 million in the participation rate
of 6.9 million men (63.9%) and women were 3.9 million (36.1%) in 2007 (Armanurah
Mohamad, Abdul Razak Amir & Syahrina Abdulallah. 2005).

The participation rate of women in the labour market is low compared with
developed countries and some developing countries (Sufean Hussin. 2004). For example,
the participation rate of women in labour market in sweden is more than 78.2 percent,
Denmark 76.4 percent and 69.8 percent of the United Kingdom. The participation rate of
women in the labour market developing countries such as Thailand was at 71.4 percent,
78.0 percent of Cambodia, Indonesia 53.3 percent and 56.5 percent of Laos.

Effort will be taken to identify gaps between men and women in the labour market
and the economic value contributed by those in the informal sector. Although women‟s
participation in the economic activity grew more prominent, particularly in managerial
and professional category, there are some challenges that need to be addressed, among
others, still remain elements of discrimination against women in the workplace, women‟s
low participation in entrepreneurship and issues related to network social security for
rural women in the labour market.

Recognising the different roles of women in family, community, economic and

political realities, the government recognizes that specific strategies to devoloped to
effectively involve women in development process in order to optimize the potential of
women. Concerted efforts should taken to help women participate in the activities of the
major social and economic. This requires a policy to provide guidance and direction in all

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development efforts to the interest and participation of women is neglected, and integrate
their contributions in the development process (Cheng Ming Yu & Cheryl Chan. 2003).

Realizing this, the goverment has formulated the National Policy on Women
(NVP) in 1989. This policy to clarify the goverment‟s eagerness to assist the participation
of women in national development more meaningful. NVP provides guidelines for
integrating the contributions of women in national development process.

Through greater participation in the labour market and increase access to

education, women have participated and contributed in various areas of the nation.
Participation and contributions are made, among others, changes to the legal and
institutional framework, including amendments to the constitution, increasing the ability
to obtain employment through higher educational attainment and implementation of
gender sensitive policies and programs (Morshidi Sirat. 2002).

In terms of employment structure, the percentage of women working in higher

paying occupations is higher due to better performance in education (Mohd Khairuddin
Hashim & Syed Azizi Wafa. 2002). The percentage of women in senior officials and
managers increased from 4.8 percent in 2000 to 5.4 percent in 2005, as shown in table 13-
3. In the professional category, women, especially working as doctors, dentist, lawyer and
architect. A significant increase occured in the categories of services and sales, from 13.3
percent in 2000 to 17.7 percent in 2005 while the number of women working in
occupations declined, particularly in the categories of plant and machine operators and
aseemblers.

The business world is not a foreign field for women. Examples of women
entrepreneurs is the most accurate Siti Khadijah, who are involved in a business up to
international level. Siti Khadijah is the best example of women entrepreneur for women
who interested in entrepreneurship. With the attitude, commitment and desire shown
among women entrepreneur at present (Fried, V.H. 2003). It is not impossible if one day
the world of entrepreneurship will be taken over and dominated by women. It should be
noted that we are in the era of globalization and the words „the place of women where
only in kitchen‟ is no longer relevant. According to Tun Mahathir in his speech at the
National Council of Women in entrepreneur Convention of 2002, achievements and the
role played by women in entrepreneur ship is now clearly demonstrated (Garavan, T.N. &
Cinneide, B.O. 1994).

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 Malay proverb which say that „the hand that rock the cradle is actually able to
shake the world‟ is true. Womens can bring the prosperity and succesful in mans if they
have been trusted to be an entrepreneur (SME CORP Malaysia, 2009. NWEA 2009).
According to a report by the Companies Commission of Malaysia, a registered business
activity in the business registration office during the year 2001 shows that out of eleven
types of business ventures, food and baverages business recorded the highest registration
statistics of the year. Besides, food and drink, a lot of business activities involved in the
retailing, construction and textiles and clothing. The number of individuals who
participate in the entrepreneurship is also increasing. According to statistics released by
the ministry of Entrepreneur Development (KPUn), during the years 1995 to 2000
increase in the number of entrepreneur to apply at a rate of 75.79%. This increase is due
to various factors and the primary is the existence of various forms of support and
assisstance given by the government through KPUn. The types of entrepreneur that have
developed are entrepreneurs, vendors, marketing furniture, mentor and the franchise. In
recent years, the number of women going into business areas showed a very encouraging.
According to the Companies Commission (Companies Commission of Malaysia), total of
49,554 business units owned by women were registered in 200 and by another 54,626
were registered in 2001. In the first six months of 2002, the total of 28,185 business were
registered(women in labour : statistics 2002).

This increase shows clearly that women in Malaysia have committed to take
advantage of opportunities in trade and industry, as a result of individualization and
economic development. Therefore, the parties involved, such as the Ministry of Women,
Family and Society, Association of Bumiputera Women Entrepreneurs (USAHANITA),
Malay Chamber of Commerce, Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and and the bodies
of other organizations have been trying to help women entrepreneur in the creation of
more-indigenous women entrepreneurs are not only successful in the country, even
internationally (Hytti, Ulla & O‟Gorman, Colm. 2004).

In the Eight Malaysia Plan (RMK-8), women have contributed significantly to the
social and economic development. Higher educational attainment increased their
participation in the labor force and other business activities. In the Ninth Malaysia Plan
(RMK-9), efforts will be made to provide a conducive environment to ensure more
effective participation of women in national development. Women will be equipped with

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 appropriate skills and knowledge to make them more competitve and versatile to meet the
challenges of knowledge-based economy.

3.0 ACTIVELY PROMOTE WOMEN GET INVOLVE IN BUSINESS

To assist the planning and implementation of the National Women‟s Association

(NVP), a number of strategies designed to ensure effciency, effectiveness, consistency
and uniformity of policies and actions (Speech by the Chief Executive of Archives
Collection, 2008) like the following:

(a) Strengthening of women‟s Affairs Unit (HAWA) The National Machinery for the
advancement of women‟s national machinery is HAWA now placed under the
Ministry of National Unity and Social Develoment. It is fair HAWA enhance power
and status by Creating a relationship with each ministry, entered the coordinator in
each state that can act more effectively on women‟s affairs.

(b) Policy and action oriented government agencies in order to include process design,
implementation and integration of programs control women. In formulating policies,
laws, regulations and programs of any sectormor agency, considerations must be
made about the contribution and its implications for women, impact and negative
effects on women must be avoided. A system of coordinating and monitoring of
comprehensive programs should be created to prevent negative effects and also to
identify obstacles and problems, both in terms of law, nor in practice, so that
appropriate action can be taken to overcome them (Malaysia ministry of educations.
2001). All development programs must have s strategy that would benefit women, the
participation of women at all levels, from the planning to the evaluation, at national
and local level must be guaranteed.

(c) Education and training should be arrange to encourage and realizing the Goverment
Administration on women‟s issues. To raise awareness and commitment of
institutions and agencies, gender sensitivity training program at various stages of
gender sentisizing be held. Training programs on women and development continued
to be held for civil servants.

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 (d) The involvement of non-goverment bodies. The government should try to involve all
non-governmental organizations and voluntary bodies in the program and actions of
women. Financial, technical, advisory and institutions continue to be allocated to
women‟s associations to promote and enhance their services.

(e) Eradication of discrimination and taking action firm specific measures should be
taken to eliminate discrimantion against women. Weaknesses in the law to guarantee
women‟s right should be repaired. Special focus shoul be directed to less developed
areas in the rural areas, women are not helpless and disable. And women are given
opportunities for educations.

(f) Promote and coordinate research The Women‟s Issues recognizing the lack of data
and informations on the status of women, the government should encourage and assist
research and studies on women. In addition, the government shall ensure that all data
and informations collected by various governmnet agencies and the sort-separated
items of informations by gender.

(g) Governmnet Budget provisions should ensure that ministeries and agencies corncernd
to use the provisions that have been approved to modify the program of actions to
meet women in development.

4.0 ELIMINATING GENDER –BASED DISCRIMINATION OR EXPLOITATION

Nowadays, government had done many things to look after the charity of women
entrepreneurs. They have help women entrepreneurs in many ways such as preserve the
facilities, give some loan and so on. But, the women entrepreneurs‟ fate cannot change if
other state parties that have connection with women did not support them to being
successful entrepreneurs. Those parties like NGO must try to helping women to
overcome the gender discrimination among the women entrepreneurs (Women‟s Aid
Organization, 2001). One of the way that can they do is make a survey in the place that
have many case about the women discrimination. This is important to make sure women‟s
life will guarantee in any aspect such as religion and culture, law and so on. Sometimes,
women‟s life can be disturbed or blocked by the aspect especially law that can‟t satisfy
women because it cannot eliminate some elements that do not give protection to women.

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As example, not all of the women entrepreneurs were protected by the law. This also can
exist another problem to women entrepreneurs such as more exploitation to their natural
excess by the unscrupulous people. It is because sometimes women have their own excess
that men did not have and this is one of the reason they have face exploitation problem.

In addition, all women entrepreneurs have face difficulties in economy sectors

such as they did not have the same right with men entrepreneurs. Sometimes, they did not
get change to compete with men in some industries such as manufacturing, HICOM and
so on. For men, it is their traditional industry and women cannot involve in the industry
because they did not have ability to handle the industry. This is the way on how women
have faced the discrimination. In millennium, nothing is impossible because sometimes
women entrepreneurs can do better than men entrepreneurs. This show that women is not
a weak people because they also can do the men‟s work. But, they still have face the
exploitation and discrimination because some specific party still cannot believe of their
ability to handle heavy industries. So, we can see now many women entrepreneurs only
involve in cottage industry, beauty parlors, boutique shops, poultry farming, tailoring,
dairy farming and others (http://www.freeonlineresearchpapers.com/women-
entrepeneurs-khulna). This show that they have limited involve in economic sectors. It
seems like not fair because many of men entrepreneurs also get a chance to involve in
women industries and some of them have being a successful entrepreneurs. Sometimes,
they always get recognize from some parties.

Sometimes, the discrimination to the women also can affect their work. This show
that the discrimination must be eliminates to restore their spirit to being a successful
entrepreneur. One of the factors that can exist the discrimination is they only a small of
people among the entrepreneurs in many countries. This can make their contribution did
not recognize in economic sectors. Although they only represents a small portion in
economic, their contribution also important to the economic. It is because their
contribution also needed to maintain the industries in economic sectors. So, some of the
parties or agencies must study more about women entrepreneurs. The elements that they
must study are the contribution of women‟s entrepreneurs in preserve jobs to others and
recognize them as economic development resources. It is because women‟s entrepreneurs
still important to make sure their potential can use in helping economic development.

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 Furthermore, women‟s entrepreneurs also have faces the discrimination because
they have choose the industry that did not important in economic development. It is
because the industry cannot give more profit than men entrepreneurs industry like
manufacturing. The manufacturing industry is one of the industries that get recognize in
many countries because it really can helping in economic development. But, women
industries still can help in maintain the economic especially in the village economy. Their
industry like cottage industry can give some jobs to the villagers around their company.
This shows women have lower profit rates in entrepreneurship field than men but they
also can prefer contribution in another ways. As example, cottage industry can help to
change the villager‟s income and their life will get better than before.

Besides, the discrimination and exploitation also happen to women entrepreneurs

because of their weakness. This can give advantage to the irresponsible people to
exploitation the women. It is because sometimes women have more excess than men and
their work more goods. On the other hand, people also thought women entrepreneurs in
not important in economic development because they did not see many women have
being successful entrepreneurs. It is because they always set in their mind those women
more suitable with housework title. This show that many people still cannot open their
mind and accept anything impossible thing that happen around them. Women will always
face the discrimination if this situation did not change as soon as possible. It is because it
can affect their reputation as successful women entrepreneurs.

All the discrimination can be eliminate if women can do the best in their business.
This is important to make sure others can recognize them in economic sectors. In
addition, this also can show others their ability to give more contribution to the economic
development. Women also must know their rights in every business that they involve to
get what they must get in expand their business. This is because they will be fooled if
they did not know about their rights. It is important to make sure they did not face the
difficulties like loss in the business.

For agencies or state parties, they must help women entrepreneurs because women
entrepreneurs are one of the important elements in economic development. Although their
contribution did not much, but it still can give some contribution to the economic sectors.
The economic sectors cannot expand if they did not involve in the sectors. So, this can
show that women entrepreneurs is really important to the economic development because
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 they can support men entrepreneurs in maintain the economic sectors. It is because many
of women entrepreneurs have successful and this mean that they have give a contribution
to the country‟s economy.

5.0 SAFETY, HEALTH DEVELOPMENT ISSUES FOR WOMEN

ENTREPRENEURS

Safety and health issues for women entrepreneurs in the world remain to be
considered. The Government is also concerned, and provides recognition of women
entrepreneurs in the Eighth Malaysia Plan (RMK-8), women have contributed
significantly to the social and economic development. Higher educational attainment
increased their participation in the labor force and other business activities. In the Ninth
Malaysia Plan (RMK-9), efforts will be made to provide a conducive environment to
ensure more effective participation of women in national development. Women will be
equipped with appropriate skills and knowledge to make them more competitive and
versatile to meet the challenges of knowledge-based economy.

Through greater participation in the labor market and increased access to

education, women have participated and contributed in various areas of the nation.
Participation and contributions are made, among others, changes to the legal and
institutional framework, including amendments to the Constitution, increasing the ability
to obtain employment through higher educational attainment and implementation of
gender sensitive policies and programs.

Government, private sector and NGOs have worked to improve women's status
and ensure cooperation and coordination are more effective in carrying out activities for
women and their families. Period, the Ministry of Women, Family and Community
Development was established to address issues related to women in an integrated manner.
To further strengthen the national machinery and to increase the Cabinet Committee on
Gender Equality was established in 2004 to provide policy direction and monitoring
activities related to women and family development. Government agreed to set a quota of
at least 30 percent of women hold positions in the public sector basis. In this regard, the
private sector and NGOs are also encouraged to increase the number of women in
managerial and key positions (Ministry of women, family and community).

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 In the 9th Plan period, efforts will be undertaken to address issues related to
women to use their full potential and participate more effectively as partners in
development in line with the principles of Islam Hadhari. In this regard, legal and
institutional constraints that prevent greater participation of women in the economic field
will be reviewed to encourage the active participation and contribute to further
improvements.

a) Promote greater participation of women in the labor force

b) Improving education and training opportunities

c) Increased participation in business and entrepreneurial activities

d) Review the laws and regulations to improve the status of women

e) Further improve the health and welfare of women

The Government will continue to encourage greater participation of women in the

labor force and contribute to national socio-economic development. Given the
involvement of more women in the labor market requires a better balance between work
without charge to paid employment, the effective employment policies must include more
than providing jobs. In this regard, measures will be taken to ensure the provision of
necessary support to enable women to participate in the labor market. In addition, women
are encouraged to re-enter the job market by providing opportunities for retraining. In
addition, efforts will be taken to implement the concept of working from home to
promote women

Efforts to increase the participation of women in business and entrepreneurship

will continue through the consolidation and integration of financial assistance and
provision of better training programs. The information on this program will be widely
disseminated. To facilitate more women to get loans, special programs for women will be
created in existing financial aid programs. The implementation of the concept of working
from home will facilitate greater participation of women in business. More opportunities
will be provided for women to engage in industrial and agricultural businesses. Since the
field of biotechnology is a new source of growth, efforts will be made to encourage more
women entrepreneurs to leverage the potential of this area, especially in agricultural
biotechnology and health care. Entrepreneurs will also be encouraged to network with

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 other successful organizations in and outside the country (chapter 13 : women and
development).

Laws and regulations that discriminate against or existing and participation of

women in development efforts will be reviewed. Recognizing the importance of ensuring
the welfare and safety of women, the Employment Act 1955, Industrial Relations Act
1957 and Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 are amended to include provisions to
prevent all forms of sexual harassment in the workplace. Steps will be taken to streamline
and accelerate the implementation of the enforcement of court decisions, including the
sharia court to ensure the protection and welfare of women. In addition, the private sector
will be encouraged to review their collective agreements to ensure no gender
discrimination.

6.0 RECOGNIZE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF WOMEN IN ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT

Women play a major role in world economic activity. Their participation in the
labor market has increased from 2.7 million (44.7
percent) in 1995 to 3.7 million (46.1 percent) in 2006. This fact show women has provide
contribution to economic development (Scribd, 2010). Today, we can see many of
women were involved in economic sectors especially as an entrepreneur. It is because
they have a lot of free time to make a part-time work as an entrepreneur. As a housewife,
they did not have many works to do, so they take a chance to make a business from their
house. But when the business become bigger than before and get more profit, they will
find a location to place their business. On the other hand, we also can see many of women
get a chance to be a higher officer in many companies. It is not impossible for them to
conquer the economic sectors especially in this country. This shows that women also have
the credibility to manage a company very well.

As an example, Madam Rozita Ibrahim is one of the successful women

entrepreneurs in Malaysia. For her, people need three properties if they want to succeed.
There are taken steps to launch a small thing in themselves, never said no before try
because nothing is impossible and do not like to blame other because of their work
(Sensasi, 2009). She begins with a small retail store to support their family but now she

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has a big company that is High Sendayu Holdings Sdn. Bhd. This company has nine
subsidiary companies including High Sendayu Corporation (M) Sdn.Ltd, Body and
Skincare Sendayu High (M) Sdn. Bhd and High Sendayu Cosmetics and Fragrances (M)
Sdn. Bhd.

Although women did not bear as a leader, they still can give many contribution to
this country and world. But, many people still cannot see their effort. As example, they
have makes a domination in entrepreneurship field especially in cottage industry. This
shows that they really give a big contribution to the economic development because they
use the source in the cottage very well. All times economic in city more advanced than
cottage economic. By this way, cottage city did not lag anymore in sector economic.
Furthermore, their effort to popularize the cottage economic also can increase living
standards among the village women and give them more knowledge especially about
entrepreneurship. This can reduce the amount of migration to urban place from village.
For this effort, Women‟s World Summit Foundation (WWSF) and the International
Federation of Agriculture Producers (IFAP/Fipa) have created the World Rural Women‟s
Day Celebration in 15 October every year start from 2000 to celebrating them (Syarifah
Hanim Syed Yahya Kamal, 2008).

Actually, rapid development in economic should not occur in urban areas only but
also to the village. Focus more to the women in the urban can make women in the rural
lag from economic development. So, rural women must be given adequate preparation to
face the growing challenges such as challenges for women as wives and mothers in a
family, as a leader and driving the national economy will become more challenging.
Women must able to face the difficulties to make sure they will be successful women.
Only women who are sensitive to environmental changes and the constantly working
towards improving the knowledge and skills alone will be able to overcome all of the
challenges (Koleksi Arkib Ucapan Ketua Eksekutif, 2008). To enhance rapid rural
economic development, certain programs must be designed and implemented more
intensive and integrated to provide opportunity for women in village area to move more
actively in economic development. As an example, a seminar can enhance the
understanding and the potential contribution of rural women in economic development.

Sometimes, women need the recognition to motivate them to being a successful

entrepreneurs or businesswoman. It is because recognition also can help them to develop

12
their business. On the other hand, this recognition also can avoid discrimination issues
among the women entrepreneur and make they feel so happy because all their effort
meaningful to this our economy. In addition, the discrimination to the women can slow
the economy development because women also play the main role in economy
development and many economies programs cannot success without women. As example,
SME Corporation Malaysia and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Miti)
was hosted the National Women Entrepreneur Award (NWEA 2009) on November 24 to
recognize outstanding contributions of Malaysian women in business. This award was
given to the women who had success to open a business with their commitment, brave
and knowledge (SME Corp Malaysia, 2009).

Furthermore, the current issues that happen among women entrepreneurs are the
limited of facilities for their business. This issue happens because the parties that involved
in providing the facilities think the amount of women entrepreneurs in this country little
only compare to men. Actually, the enough facilities are one of the ways to recognize
women effort in economy development. It is because there are about 80, 000 women
involve in real entrepreneurs world in this country. They are active in many types of
business and many of them still in productive age and able to contribute to national socio-
economic development. However, they still get some facilities from many agencies like
SME Corporation and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia. As example, since its inception in 1987,
Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia has helped more than 200, 000 women entrepreneurs in three
main sectors such as business service, agriculture and manufacturing (Datin Paduka Seri
Rosmah Mansor, 2010).

Besides, many women entrepreneurs did not get recognize because they were not
protected and help by many agencies, but only some agencies want to do so. This make
them more lag from men entrepreneurs. It is because many agencies did not trust with
their credibility to manage the business very well. Protection and help is one the women
need in their business because it is one of the ways to recognize their effort in
entrepreneur. For women, protection can make them feel safe to running their business
without any threat from enemies. It is because they are weak human that always need a
protection and help in their life. In addition, they also need help to make sure they can
face the difficulties in their business. The help can give them some new skills and
experience that can use in their business in future. One of the agencies that have gives
their help to women entrepreneurs is Ministry of Rural and Regional in every place like

13
 Kedah. The agencies have prefers a program to the women entrepreneurs that have
implemented through three approaches. There are identify women entrepreneurs through
the Entrepreneurial Course Exposure, provide skills training in the field or endeavor and
machinery and equipment provided assistance as a catalyst for the modus operandi of
their respective companies (Lembaga Kemajuan Wilayah Kedah, 2010).

7.0 LACK OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES IN CERTAIN INDUSTRIES

One of the best issues among the women entrepreneurs is lack of equal
opportunities in certain industries. The industries normally conquer by men entrepreneurs
it is traditional work for men (Wolfe Lahle, 2011). Sometimes, men know that women
also can do their work but they still cannot do as well as men. It is because sometimes the
works need more energy and times, but women cannot fulfill it because their
responsibilities to another thing like home and family. This can make them did not have
much time to their business. So, they cannot have many advantages when involved in
work majority by men. This situation can discourage more women to join
entrepreneurship field and this can give loss to our economic development. It is because
women can give a big contribution to the economic.

Actually, men and women must get a same chance in entrepreneur field to make
sure the economic will become more stabilized. This is really important to help women
success in their career as an entrepreneur. Sometimes, women can do better more than
men in some work. So, that shows women and men have their own credibility to make a
good job in different thing and their ability also different each other. Furthermore, the
combination between women and men entrepreneurs also can build rapid economic
development. So, no one of them can conquer because they have their strength and
potency in business.

In addition, all entrepreneurs also have their own privileges in business

management. Sometimes, many of them try to make an innovation to attract customer. On
the other hand, women and men entrepreneurs normally involve in different sectors. As
example, women like to involve in cosmetics, food, fashions and so on, but men like to
involve sectors like automobile, security, factories and build (Zaidatol Akmaliah Lope
Pihie, 2007). This difference shows that economic cannot stabilized if only one of them

14
active in the economic sectors. Besides, many men thought women entrepreneurs must
have skills and traits to make sure they can compete as men do today in certain industries.
Actually, women entrepreneurs do not need to do so because they already have their own
skills that men cannot copy in their business. So, women was advises to be more
confident with their features to make sure their business can go further in future. This is
really important to make men recognize women with their credibility in entrepreneurship
field and they can complete each other in economic sectors.

Sometimes, socialization process can teach women how to not big think, refuse
the risk and worry about money problem. The women entrepreneurs like to maintain the
attitude because they have limited resources and they are really carefully in every step
them choose in their business. This can give effect to them because they cannot expand
their business. Furthermore, women also running their business only to get their asset and
some profit. It is because cannot accept if their business do not success. This support by
another issues like women owners are not getting equal treatment at financial institutions.
The reason for this is many of loan officer do not trust with the credibility of women
entrepreneurs and they worry they cannot pay back the debt. Although they try to explain
about their ability, the loan officer still cannot accept their application to get the loan for
their business. This situation can make them more difficult to get more money to support
their business.

Furthermore, some people have denies the credibility women entrepreneurs if they
want to join any industries that was majority by men entrepreneurs. This can make the
spirit of women entrepreneurs become low and down. This also can affect their work and
reputation because there are many people did not believe their ability in handle a
business. Actually, some of women entrepreneurs have a big talent and brilliant idea and
this can help them to being successful women in this country. It was proved by see many
of them very famous in Malaysia such as Puan Rozita Ibrahim, Datuk Siti Nurhaliza and
many more. This is shows not all the women entrepreneurs are not able to manage a
business very well and success.

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8.0 CONCLUSION

All of the issues and challenges can give more difficulties to the women
entrepreneurs. This can bar women from success in their business. The issues cannot exist
because women also have their credibility to manage a business very well. It is not
impossible to them to being a success entrepreneur because many of them also have some
privileges that men did not have in themselves. So, this show that is women also can give
the contribution to economic development. On the others hand, women also can conquer
some industries like fashion, cosmetics and so on because the industries really have
connection with them. Besides, the number of men entrepreneurs that involved in the
industries is too small.

The situation shows that women really can help in economic development because
their involved also can give a contribution to the economy increase. All people that have
connection with women entrepreneurs must help them by giving support, help or some
money, facilities and so on. This is really important to make them feel appreciated and
make them become more confident and spirited to being a success entrepreneurs.
Furthermore, this also can motivate them to give more new innovation and contributions
to the economy and entrepreneurs field. However, all issues that happen among the
women entrepreneurs must be solved to make sure women can step forward from their
position from bad to good and they always can get success in their business. In addition,
synchronize between women and men entrepreneurs can build a strong economy
development because they can complete to each other.

16
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