Mali : women in private enterprise -- final report

private sector activities, this report explores the role of formal and informal sector female entrepreneurs in Bamako, Mali. Specifically, the report describes: (1) the types of enterprises owned by women and why; (2) constraints to women"s business activities and methods of overcoming them; and (3) women"s needs and desires for assistance. In the informal sector, the single biggest constraint has been the weak national economy, which has caused a dramatic decline in purchasing power and severely hampered entrepreneurs" ability to sell goods and services. When asked about their problems, these women most often mentioned some immediate material need; they expressed no interest in training. Women in Mali"s formal business sector, who are only beginning to establish themselves, face a different set of problems. Lack of access to finance was cited as their major constraint, while government red tape and bureaucratic regulations are also problematic. In addition to funding, the formal sector entrepreneurs identified business training as a critical need. The final chapter contains a series of recommendations for ensuring women"s participation in the following USAID/Mali activities: economic policy reform, human resource development, and private voluntary organization co-financing. Profiles of 34 women entrepreneurs in Bamako are appended.