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The WRAISE project was developed because NI is the worst region in the UK for female self-employment, with fewer than 4% of women in the labour force as self-employed, compared to 19% for men. The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor study in 2002 found a continuing low level of female self-employment, with a concentration of work being in the lower paid service sector. Women face barriers to self-employment, the Small Business Service have found these barriers through their research to be;

• the supply of finance,
• the demand for finance,
• access to suitable advice and support.