Seventh International Conference on Tourism & Leisure Studies

Abstract

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s ) remain a misery to many SMEs in Africa despite them being made public internationally. The purpose of this research is to identify whether gender equality in Kenyan entrepreneurship and small business owners is being driven according to the SDG’s goal five. The study was conducted within Nairobi County, Embakasi East constituency in Embakasi ward, where a sample of 22 female respondents was selected. The qualitative research method was adopted through the study, with open-ended interviews administered to the respondents. This study identified a high percentage of women in SMEs are unaware of the existence of the SDG goals. The existing gap between men and women in SMEs is still huge despite the UN advocating for gender equality. This gap was identified to be caused by men having more access to funding, finances, education, and mentoring opportunities in comparison to African women. The SDG goal five can aid in bridging the gap between men and women in SMEs in African nations.