Small Business Entrepreneurship Among Rural Women: A Strategy for Sustainable Development – A Case Study of Mazu Village

Rural women have traditionally played a vital role in sustaining households and communities; however, their entrepreneurial contributions are frequently undervalued in development discourse. This study examines the influence on sustainable development of small business entrepreneurship among rural women in Mazu Village, Bangladesh. A mixed-method approach was used in 2025 to collect primary data, including household surveys, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with women-entrepreneurs. The study’s aim is to explore how rural women's entrepreneurial activities contribute to sustainable development and outline the key challenges they face in expanding their businesses and achieving economic empowerment. Important insights from the study are that women are increasingly participating in microenterprises, including handicrafts, food processing and small-scale trades while maintaining social integrity and supporting environmental stewardship. These activities contribute to enhancing household income, reducing poverty and empowering women-workers. In this way, women not only improve family welfare but also strengthen community resilience. Nevertheless, women entrepreneurs continue to encounter challenges, including limited access to credit facilities, inadequate training and cultural constraints that limit their opportunities and business development. This study demonstrates the alignment of female entrepreneurship with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly gender equality (SDG 5), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8) and poverty reduction (SDG 1). The research conducted in Mazu Village highlights the importance of policy interventions, skills development programs and inclusive financial mechanisms for expanding women’s entrepreneurial opportunities. This case study is also indicative of similar opportunities in other settings within rural Bangladesh where women can facilitate better quality of life. Bangladesh can achieve sustainable and inclusive development by empowering rural women through small-business initiatives.