Barriers and Solutions for the Development of Women's Home-Based Businesses (Case Study: Vulnerable Women in Hamedan City)

The development of home-based businesses among vulnerable people in the society psychologically and socially increases their mental and objective well-being and improves their living standards. It also increases trust and social capital and expands social relations among vulnerable people. Therefore, paying attention to vulnerable women's employment and entrepreneurship at home is one of the effective ways to improve the economic status of women in local communities. With this regard, the aim of the current research was to identify the solutions and barriers of women's home-based businesses in Hamadan city. This article has been done using the qualitative research method and the grounded theory approach. The main tool of data collection was in-depth and semi-structured interviews. Data were collected through interviews with female heads of families and key informants in Hamadan city. The number of samples included 19 people who were selected purposefully with the snowball method and based on the principle of data saturation. The results showed that the obstacles to the development of home-based businesses for self-supporting women include psychological-family obstacles, cultural obstacles, financial-support obstacles, educational obstacles, and marketing obstacles. Also, the main solutions  including culture building and empowerment, financial support, advertising and marketing, and educational support were suggested.