Nkiriyumwami, C: Women Empowerment and Business Development

It is now a general consensus that excluding women in efforts of development is halving a change in the plight of the poor of developing countries. Through MDGs, the world committed to empower women, not only as a condition for gender equality, but also as key factor for economical and social transformation. Beliefs have long deceived strongly patriarchal societies that: "Raising a daughter is like watering a shady tree in someone else‘s courtyard." (Mosse, 1993). But cultures that deny opportunities for women‘s participation in public and private affairs do it at the cost of well-being in people‘s households. This book offers an analytical reflection on empowerment factors that enhance women‘s capabilities in undertaking successful businesses. The review of abundant literature from various scholars on empowerment, and on business environmental factors, provided useful framework to examine the relevancy of women‘s businesses in Kigali Markets. This book will therefore help researchers and practitioners of community development and inspire government bodies, churches and other private sector, in the making of policy that involve women in national prosperity.