The importance of women entrepreneurship in local development: A case study in Batman province

Countries realized the significance of development in the 1900s. After this awareness, both academics and political authorities initiated efforts related to development. The concept of development is a term that varies in meaning for each country and has not yet achieved a common ground in the literature. Countries have started to attribute meaning to the concept of development, including economic growth, based on their own needs. It is now understood that the prerequisite for a prosperous society lies not only in economic growth but also in the overall economic and structural development of all regions within a country. In this regard, the saturation of human capital, both economically and socio-culturally, will give countries a competitive edge over others. Entrepreneurship, an important aspect of development, is a concept that, much like development itself, cannot be viewed from a single perspective. In recent years, women entrepreneurship has become an increasingly significant part of entrepreneurship, as it not only contributes to the economy's momentum but also advances countries in socio-cultural terms by empowering women as active players in the economy rather than just passive contributors to household economies. This study aims to examine the contribution of women entrepreneurship to the economy, specifically in the Batman province, and to contribute its findings to the academic literature. The findings obtained from the survey conducted on women entrepreneurs in Batman demonstrate that women entrepreneurs positively contribute to local development. It is believed that increasing government incentives for women entrepreneurs and providing courses and seminars at universities to support them will positively impact local development by rapidly channeling their potential into the economy. Moreover, by encouraging and providing counseling services to new young entrepreneur candidates, it is thought that the foundational aspect of women entrepreneurship in the development process can be further developed.