Global Journal of Human Social Science, C: Sociology and Culture, Volume 22 Issue 1

The Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Women Entrepreneurs: An Analysis from Socio-Economic Perspective in Rangpur City Corporation, Bangladesh Md. Abdul Monnaf α & Marufa Rahman σ © 2022 Global Journals Volume XXII Issue I Version I 19 ( ) Global Journal of Human Social Science - Year 2022 C Author α : Student, Department of Gender and Development Studies, Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, Bangladesh. e-mail: marufa.rahman@live.com Author σ : Assistant Professor, Department of Gender and Development Studies, Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, Bangladesh. I. I ntroduction Women's entrepreneurship refers to owning of an enterprise (Nazneen et al., 2017). According to the definition given in the Industrial Policy 2016, a female is an entrepreneur if she is the owner or proprietor of a privately-run business, organization or owns at least 51% share in a joint venture or company listed with the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms (Nazneen Abstract- Women entrepreneurship has already proven itself as a key to ensuring women’s empowerment. It typically brings a positive change in attitudes and behaviors of family members and society towards them. The worldwide pandemic situation due to Covid-19 has exacerbated the overall condition of women entrepreneurs. This study specifically explores and evaluates the socio-economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women entrepreneurs in Rangpur City Corporation, Bangladesh. It is a descriptive study and it involves the collection of both qualitative and quantitative evidence about the impact of Covid-19 on women entrepreneurs in Rangpur City Corporation. This study reveals that the negative consequences of Covid- 19 have extensive and critical influences on women’s lives and livelihoods. At the end of this article, a few measures have been suggested, which are based on our research findings, for overcoming the socio-economic challenges and upgrading the status of Women Entrepreneurs. ntrepreneurship plays a crucial role in global economic growth (De Vita et al., 2014). It is essential for the growth and well-being of nations (Herrington and Kew, 2017). Even though it has typically been viewed as a male-dominated activity, new studies have shown the importance of women's contributions [5]. Women's entrepreneurial activities continue to draw widespread recognition [6]. Over the last decade, the number of women starting and managing their own businesses has increased significantly [8]. It has been booming and making a massive contribution to economic activity, and it has the potential to alleviate unemployment, particularly in developing nations [9]. It has been identified as a catalyst for economic growth in developing nations, since it plays a significant role in creating jobs, promoting women's rights, and eradicating poverty (De Vita et al., 2014). E et al., 2017). It is encouraging to see a "new women entrepreneurial class" emerge in Bangladesh, rising to the challenge of working in a male-dominated, intense, and complex commercial and financial setting (Brush and Hisrich, 1999). Entrepreneurship has been a popular choice of career among Bangladeshi women (Lubna & Parvin, 2017). With the support of microcredit, SMEs, and extended government initiatives, women in Bangladesh are actively engaged in various aspects of the economy (Chowdhury, 2011). As a result, women's entrepreneurship is on the rise in our country (MIDAS, 2009: 32). Despite societal and economic obstacles, women entrepreneurs have made considerable progress [1]; and women business owners have made a significant contribution [2]. Women in Bangladesh have made substantial progress in the last decade, coming out of the household to partake in the economy [2]. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed its growth (Mujeri, 2019); COVID-19 pandemics have afflicted the majority of entrepreneurs (seriously and sporadically) due to a complete lockdown and mobility restriction (Ismael et al., 2021). COVID-19, a disease that is caused by the SARS-COV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2), was initially reported in China's Hubei Province right before the end of 2019 [10]. Since being reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by the Chinese government on December 31, 2019, and later proclaimed a pandemic by the WHO on March 11, 2020 [11]. COVID-19 was detected for the first time on March 8, 2020, in Bangladesh [12]. A new complicated reality has emerged with the necessity for social distancing, isolation and, lockdown measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic [13]. As the whole globe fights to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, its impact on the global economy is growing [14]; the COVID-1 9 pandemic seems to have had a severe impact on women's enterprises than the economic downturn of 2008–2009 or other worldwide recessions. The quick spread of the causative new coronavirus has made the situation substantially worse [15]. The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are not just limited to health- related problems, but also have a significant social and economic impact [16]. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has ravaged the globe, killing hundreds of millions of people, crippling economies, closing