Mapping the Pain Points in the Motherhood Sphere: A Focus on Women Entrepreneurs in the Philippines

Abstract

Policies, programmes and other measures have been in place to foster an enabling environment for women’s entrepreneurship to flourish further in the Philippines. However, despite this seemingly successful growth of women’s entrepreneurship in the country, women still face difficulties in prospering in entrepreneurship. Guided by the 5M gender-aware framework, this study mapped the pain points affecting women in entrepreneurship in the Philippines by conducting a focus group discussion composed of 40 entrepreneurs. Individual and institutional/structural factors and actors that play pivotal roles in enabling a more conducive entrepreneurial environment for women (i.e., government, education, NGOs, men, house helpers) were identified. More significantly, this article emphasized the need for men’s involvement in empowering women entrepreneurs in various capacities and aspects of their lives, especially in the motherhood sphere. Acknowledging men and involving them in women’s economic activities can potentially address the gap in entrepreneurship.