Entrepreneurial skills, challenges and the role of gender and development initiatives among aspiring women entrepreneurs in Cabanatuan city

This study investigated the entrepreneurial skills, challenges, and the role of Gender and Development (GAD) initiatives among aspiring women entrepreneurs in Cabanatuan City. Employing a descriptive quantitative research design, the study surveyed 126 respondents drawn from the Barangay Pastoral Council of Mother of Perpetual Help in clustered barangays. Results showed that most respondents were 36 years and above, high school graduates, and primarily inclined toward food and beverage enterprises. Although the majority had no prior entrepreneurship training, they demonstrated a willingness to participate in GAD-led programs aimed at strengthening entrepreneurial capacity. The findings revealed that respondents exhibited only moderate competence in business planning, financial management, and technical operations, while they demonstrated stronger competencies in marketing, customer service, and product development. GAD initiatives were perceived positively, particularly in promoting skill development, inclusivity, and accessibility; however, notable gaps were identified in advanced training, mentorship, and technology integration. Major challenges encountered by respondents included limited technical knowledge in starting enterprises, insufficient access to capital, and constraints in product innovation and technology adoption. These results underscore the necessity for a gender-responsive extension plan that prioritizes advanced entrepreneurial training, capacity-building, and sustained support mechanisms. Such interventions are essential to empower aspiring women entrepreneurs and contribute to the promotion of inclusive and sustainable community development.