Facilitators and Barriers to Female Student Entrepreneurship: Insights from a Qualitative Study

This qualitative study explores the entrepreneurial tendencies and experiences of female students in the social sciences. It examines both the facilitating and restricting factors that influence their motivation and ability to engage in entrepreneurial ventures. Data were collected through focus group discussions with students aged 18 to 26 who were involved in freelancing or small business initiatives. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes and perspectives from the focus group discussions. The findings revealed that support from family, peers, and emotional encouragement are key facilitators, while financial constraints, lack of guidance, societal fear, and low mobility hinder entrepreneurial engagement. The study highlights the importance of developing targeted support systems and policies to foster female entrepreneurship in educational settings. These findings could provide actionable insights for academic institutions and policymakers to support the development of entrepreneurial ecosystems for young women.