Entrepreneurship Policy Challenges in the Eco Region : Gender Disparities Facing Women Entrepreneurs in Iran, Pakistan and Turkey

We present the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey. The research employs 2010-2012 GEM dataset. After identifying the women entrepreneurial contexts, we explore how in the three nations women's entrepreneurial intentions impact their entrepreneurial decisions, given the individual characteristics and socio-economic environments. With similarities in low female entrepreneurial activity and numerous socio-economic challenges the countries differ in opportunity-necessity driven motives. The study affirms the need for concerted policy action to address the disparities