Developing entrepreneurship programmes for female members of the Irish traveller community

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the distinctive challenges faced by female travellers (Roma, Sinti and Gypsy) in starting their own business.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper details a pilot “start your own business” programme that was delivered in Ireland to 12 women from the traveller community.

Findings

Four distinct categories of entrepreneurship barriers faced by female travellers were recognised: self‐esteem, traveller identity, welfare trap and family responsibilities.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based on just one programme and so no general conclusions can be drawn.

Practical implications

The paper identifies the successes and failures of the programme, plus it highlights the future steps that need to be taken to bring appropriate entrepreneurship support to traveller women who experience triple discrimination – discrimination as women, as travellers and as traveller women.

Originality/value

Very little is known about female travellers in terms of entrepreneurship activity and so this is a significant addition to a very small body of knowledge.

Citation

Cooney, T.M. (2009), "Developing entrepreneurship programmes for female members of the Irish traveller community", International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship, Vol. 1 No. 2, pp. 134-147. https://doi.org/10.1108/17566260910969689