ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the distinct features and roles of Third World female entrepreneurs. It begins with an outline of the different types of entrepreneurial activities pursued by rural women, and by using case studies it illustrates how women succeed as petty entrepreneurs whilst operating within an extremely difficult socio-economic environment. The argument continues by exploring why rural women are generally restricted to petty entrepreneurship and what prevents them from organizing and/ or managing larger ventures. The final section concentrates on some of the measures necessary to enable more rural women to realize their entrepreneurial potential on a larger scale.
