Mentoring for women's entrepreneurship

A review through intersectional and decolonial lenses

Bibliographic Data

ID14914149
AuthorsHeila Magali Da Silva Veiga (0000-0002-7429-8124, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, corresponding author), Olívia Pillar Perez Miziara (0000-0002-5413-9484, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia), Kamila Batista Melo (0009-0007-1619-0346, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia), Aleida Mendes Borges (0000-0001-7121-5277, King's College London), Lígia Carolina Oliveira-Silva (0000-0002-7487-9420, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia)
Year2026
Volume36
Issue1
Pages26-46
Publication date2026-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFeminism & Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0959-3535 • E-ISSN: 1461-7161
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/09593535251342052
OpenAlexW4411384759
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited77

The rise in women's entrepreneurship globally underscores the need for mentoring programs that cater specifically to women entrepreneurs. Despite the critical role these programs play, current models often fail to consider the unique sociocultural and economic contexts faced by women in the Majority World. This scoping review aims to map existing mentoring programs addressing women in entrepreneurship, with a focus on their design and implementation in emerging economies. Our review evidences that traditional mentorship models, often rooted in Western paradigms, do not adequately address the diverse challenges women entrepreneurs face, including limited access to resources, sociopolitical instability, and sociocultural constraints. Noteworthy programs, such as “Ecosistema Mujer” and “Peer Mentorship Program for Entrepreneurs,” highlight the importance of gender-sensitive approaches that empower women by addressing both internal and external barriers. By integrating intersectional and decolonial perspectives, mentorship programs can better support women entrepreneurs, helping them transition from subsistence-based businesses to sustainable enterprises. This review calls for rethinking entrepreneurship mentoring and support policies to foster more inclusive and effective practices, ultimately promoting long-term economic development and gender equality

Entrepreneurship · Intersectionality · Political science · Sociology · Entrepreneurship Studies and Influences · Gender Diversity and Inequality · Gender Studies · Mentoring and Academic Development · Psychology

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