SOCIAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WOMEN’S ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT IN UKRAINE

The development of female entrepreneurship is increasingly seen as a significant factor in economic and social progress. The purpose of the article was quantitative and qualitative assessment of social and geographical characteristics of female entrepreneurship in Ukraine, identification of the features of the Ukrainian business woman and the factors under which they are formed, also a description of the problems that accompany the development of this type of women activity. The article assesses the scale of female entrepreneurship in Ukraine. Just as in men, it is considerably inferior to hired labor. In general, gender gaps in the number of entrepreneurs in general and in regions are estimated to be small. It has been established that women have a greater presence in the small business, industries and types of economic activity, which fit into the social roles of the traditional society. The degree of activity of women in social entrepreneurship is determined. In this type of entrepreneurial activity, women are not much inferior to men, but also choose traditional for Ukrainian society activities. The factors influencing the formation of the women’s entrepreneurship initiative in Ukraine can be divided into two groups: transformational and socio-cultural. A special role in the latter is given to the features of the national character and stereotypes that have emerged in Ukrainian society. The social portrait of the Ukrainian business lady, which is formed under the influence of the above-mentioned factors, is quite controversial and has both positive and negative features. Some of them can be a serious obstacle to women coming to business and confident in staying there. The range of problems that accompany the development of female entrepreneurship in Ukraine is outlined. Some of them apply to all entrepreneurs, others apply to women only. Many of the latter are generated by a closer link between business and private life in women. Among others are forced entry into business, low self-esteem, lack of government support and lack of initial funding.