Women Entrepreneurs in the Informal Economy: Challenges and Motivations for Entering the Informal Market

Rebecca Thaffenne Santos Oliveira, Yasmin Iara Ferreira Veloso, Vérica Freitas and Verônica Angélica Freitas de Paula

Gender, Work and Organization, 2026, vol. 33, issue 2, 644-655

Abstract: The aim of this study is to analyze the factors that affect the entrepreneurial activity of women in the informal economy in emerging economies, considering their motivations and the challenges they face in this context. The research was conducted through a systematic literature review, accompanied by a bibliographic analysis of the main studies on the subject. Articles were selected from the Web of Science and Scopus databases in order to identify the motivations for women's entrepreneurship in the informal market, the challenges faced by these women, public policies and specific initiatives to encourage female entrepreneurship, and the impact of these women on the economy. The main characteristics of bibliographic production on the subject were also mapped. As a result, the analysis of the selected articles revealed important cultural, economic, and social barriers that still limit women's entrepreneurship. In addition, the results show that there is a lack of public policies and initiatives focused on the inclusion of women entrepreneurs, especially training programs and access to credit. The research also highlighted the positive impact of women entrepreneurs, contributing to income generation, promoting social mobility, and strengthening informal economies. These results offer a more comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in this process, highlighting the opportunities and challenges faced by women.

Date: 2026
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