Abstract

Despite the significant contribution of female entrepreneurs in the fashion industry to economic activity in western rural Sierra Leone, their growth remains subdued. This is attributed to the numerous gender-related challenges they face in the competitive business world, particularly in comparison to their male counterparts. A study conducted in central Freetown, Sierra Leone, explored the challenges faced by women in the fashion industry through questionnaire interviews with 40 female fashion entrepreneur participants. The findings revealed that although women are actively engaged in the fashion industry, they encounter challenges such as capital constraints, limited basic education, cultural barriers, lack of networking opportunities, family responsibilities, and restricted access to information and business resources. Notably, the study also highlighted the presence of successful women in the industry who are eager to take on leadership roles and create opportunities for more women to participate actively in the fashion industry. In conclusion, capacity-building initiatives for women in fashion can enhance their competitiveness in the industry.

Key words: Fashion industry, entrepreneur, education, challenges, capacity building.