A Story Of Strength And Struggle: Exploring The Motivations And Hurdles Of Mompreneurs In Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

The mompreneurs of Peshawar, a bustling city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, are the focus of this research. Bringing attention to these remarkable women in the hopes that we learn from their experiences helps us better grasp the balancing act of business and family life. Using Kimberlé Crenshaw's concept of intersectionality, we investigate how Peshawar's mopreneurs' experiences are shaped by their gender, parenting, marital status, and socioeconomic level. We relied on in-depth qualitative phenomenological interviews to get to the bottom of these women's real-life experiences. The following seven themes emerged from the investigation: navigating financial independence, balancing roles and identities, intersectional challenges, societal expectations and support, identity and empowerment, resilience and determination, and flexible work schedules. Despite the many challenges faced by mompreneurs in Peshawar, our research emphasizes the intricate nature of this entrepreneurial endeavor. However, we need more comprehensive theories of identity and motivation to help us make sense of the myriad factors that contribute to and hinder their success. Examining mompreneurship in the specific social and cultural context of Peshawar, Pakistan, this study provides valuable insights. It also highlights the importance of thoroughly looking into Pakistan and South Asia. Ultimately, we hope our findings will help direct future research on mompreneurship and fill in the gaps in the existing literature.