Socio-economic and Regulatory Factors Influencing Middle Class Woman Entrepreneurship in Pakistan and Russia Comparing Motivations, Barriers and Opportunities

This research paper examines women entrepreneurship in economies of Pakistan and Russia, by exploring how socio-economic factors, motivation factors, barriers and opportunities influence their growth in business sector. It traces how gender plays an important role in articulating opportunities and constraints on women entrepreneurs of both countries. This research uses a mixture of primary and secondary data. It is based on qualitative methods and the methodology of the research is mixed with actor centric approach and comparative analysis. Methods used are semi-structured interviews and an expert interview from the women entrepreneurs of Pakistan and Russia. By interviewing 20 women from Pakistan and 10 women from Russia this paper concludes that with access to proper education, market demand and financial institutions, along with relaxed government and legal policies, women empowerment increases and business sector boosts as a whole. The comparative analysis shows massive difference in the cultural values and beliefs in these countries, which contribute significantly yet differently in the initiation and growth of the business of women entrepreneurs in both Pakistan and Russia.