ROLE OF COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES IN WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

ABSTRACT

The term women’s empowerment has always been a subject of discussion among academic development practitioners and policy maker particularly after the failure of trickledown theory implemented during idemili planned development programmes which could not benefit women equally along with men. The role of cooperatives in the empowerment of women is contested in the idemili context, however, several studies show that it has provided women the necessary space and support for promoting economic self-reliance developing self confidence, overcoming exploration and taking effective steps towards achieving greater control over their lives, this paper put forward how cooperatives have received extensive recognition as suitable institutional mechanized women and enabling them to play a significant role in the process of sustainable economic development opportunities for the members of the people of idemili in general. The paper also highlighted the role of cooperative as economic agents of change leading to economic emancipation, developing leadership qualities promoting financial and social inclusion and ultimately leading to women’s empowerment by giving the ability to make strategic choice in their lives. It also discusses the government initiatives as well as opportunities and challenges for women led cooperative in idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra state.

CHAPTER ONE:
1.0 Introduction 1
1.1 Background of the study 1
1.2 statement of the problem 4
1.3 Objectives of the study 5
1.4 Research question 6
1.5 Hypothesis formulation 6
1.6 Significance of the study
1.7 Scope of the study 7
1.8 limitation of the study 8
1.9 Definition of terms 8

CHAPTER TWO:
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.0 Introduction 11
2.1women and development in Nigeria
2.2 Women’s empowerment: a conceptual understanding
2.3 Recognize rural women as agent of change
2.4 Strengthen rural women’s right to property land
2.5 Nicowa, empowering Nigeria women through co-operative
2.6 Repositioning women through co-operative societies
2.7 Women empowerment in Idemili North
2.8 Social exclusion of Idemili North women.
2.9 Success, failure and prospects for women entrepreneurs.
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction to the study
3.2 Research design and method 35
3.3 Area of the study 35
3.4 Population of the study 36
3.5 Instrument for data collection
3.6 Sample and sample technique 36
3.7 Method of data analysis
3.8 Validation of instrument
3.9 Reliability of instrument 38
3.10 Method of data analysis 38
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS.
4.1 Presentation and analysis of data
4.2 Testing of hypothesis
4.3 Summary of result

CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 SUMMARY, OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION
AND RECOMMENDATION 59
5.1 Summary of the Findings 59
5.2 Conclusion 60
5.3 Recommendation 61