Navigating Challenges Resilience of Women Entrepreneurs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

This research paper examines how women entrepreneurs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa navigate the entrepreneurial ecosystem and social support structures. Grounded in an interpretivist research philosophy, the study delves into the subjective experiences of women entrepreneurs, highlighting their roles in fostering economic stability within their communities. A hybrid inductive and deductive research approach, combined with a multiple case study method, was employed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 18 purposively sampled women entrepreneurs. The analysis, using a hybrid thematic approach, identified key themes related to the resilience of women entrepreneurs in the face of social and financial challenges, social advocacy, and economic independence. The findings illustrate how these women overcome socio-cultural barriers and limited institutional support, leveraging their entrepreneurial ventures to create inclusive spaces and advocate for gender equality.