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
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background To The Study
Nigerian women are perceived as
household property that joins land in economic activities of their families
with regard to exchange in marriage participation in agricultural activities
and other areas that yield money.
Azikiwe
1992 Esere, 2011 in sociological perspective. The modern day Nigerian women
take part in important economic activities to the benefits of their families
and entire nation. Family is a basic social group united through bonds of
kinship or marriage, it is present in all societies. Ideally, the family provides
its members with corresponding author, E-mail, [email protected],companionship,security,and
socialization.
Simpson et al 2007, women thus, manage
the home at the same time, participate with their male counterpart in
developing the economy of the nation. In rural areas, women participate fully
in food production, processing and distributing which they combine with their
traditional role of procreation and management. Standing shehan 1978 in their
studies on economic activities of women Nigeria reported a higher labour force
woman. In rural areas, higher parity was positively associated with workforce
participation which is contrary in the urban areas.
The urban women in addition to child
rearing and home management engage mostly in trading, craft and distribution of
goods from other countries. This becomes necessary as a result of gradual
decline in the Nigerian economy which led to mass retrenchment in the labour
market. High cost of living accompanied by high inflation rate.
Amali 2007, women have limited access to
socio-economic rights and privileges. They enjoy lower social status and are
encumbered by harmful traditional practices to exhibit their potential. Federal
government of Nigeria 1996, they still suffer discrimination and
marginalization through denials of rights and ownership, access to credit
facilities and farm input; women are isolated abuse and restricted at the
community levels through traditional and religious practice which hamper
development
1.2 Statement Of The Problems
In spite of the efforts of those
entrepreneur in the development of the Nigeria economy, there are still a lot
of problems militating against them in playing this role. Such problems as
finance, inadequate government assistance, inexperience gender discrimination
and inability to source fund externally.
It is based in above that this study
want to look into the subject matter
which is impact of women entrepreneur in the development of Nigerian economy
with the view to highlighting on the success, failures and prospects of some
women entrepreneurs in idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra state.
1.3 Objectives Of The Study
The research work is concerned with the
issue of the impact of women entrepreneurs in the development of Nigerian
economy assessing of women entrepreneurs in idemili North Local Government Area
of Anambra state, success, failure, problems and prospects in the recent times,
the Nigeria women have exerted much influence in the Nations economies and
social life.
The purpose of this study therefore look
at
a.
Identifying the kind of entrepreneurial development programmes established by
the Nigeria in the recent time.
b.
To identify the type of problems militating against the role of women
entrepreneurs in development of Nigeria economy.
c.
To find out if there is enough encouragement from the government to encourage
the women to participate in the entrepreneurial development activities.
d.
To examine the contribution of women entrepreneurs in the nation.
e.
To assess the success, failure and prospects of idemili women entrepreneurs in
Anambra state.
f.
Finally, to suggest measures by which problems militating against the impact of
the entrepreneurs in the development of Nigeria economy.
1.4 Significance Of The Study
It is necessary to state that this study
deals on the issues of the impact of women entrepreneurs in the development of
Nigeria economy with a view to assessing he failure, problems and prospects of
idmilli women entrepreneurs in Anambra state.
The
study is therefore significant because it will reveal the benefits derived from
entrepreneurial development programme instituted by Nigeria women and the
advantages of these programmes to the country.
Another significant of this study is
that it will help to reveal discrimination meted against women by men prevalent
in the olden economic development of the nation.
This
study is also significant because it will create awareness for the government
and society of the contribution of women entrepreneurs to the nation and
nations economic development and this will enable this country acknowledge that
women are partners in progress to the male folk.
Finally,
this study is significant because the researcher hopes that this will serve as
stepping stone for any future researches especially those who would wish to
research, more on the subject matter in the near future
1.5 Research Questions
In pursuance of this research work, the
researcher saw that it is necessary to ask some research questions, these
questions are based on the objectives of this study.
The following research questions guided
the study.
1.
What sources of fund are available for economic activities by the women of the
state?
2.
What are the major economic activities performed by7 urban and rural women in
Nigeria?
3.
To what extent do women in different cooperative societies participate in
economic activities and participation promotes social development?
4.
To what extent dot he development/project carried out by women through their
economic activities?
5.
What strategies could be proffered for the enhancement of women empowerment and
participation in economic activities?
6.
What are the factors that inhibit the empowerment of women in Nigeria?
7.
What is the possible solution by which these problems could be mitigated?
1.6 Hypothesis
For the purpose of achieving a
reasonable degree of success in this research work, the researcher considered
it’s imperative to work on the following hypothesis
Ho: Women entrepreneurs do not
contribute to the economic and social development of Nigeria.
Hi: Women entrepreneurs do contribute
to the economic and social development of Nigeria.
Ho: Women entrepreneurs and women
development programmes do not serve as employment opportunities for the teaming
unemployed citizens.
Hi: Women entrepreneurs and women
development programmes serve as employment opportunities for the teaming
unemployed citizens.
1.7 Scope Of The Study
The scope of this study covered Idemili
women entrepreneurs in Anambra state, problems and prospects that is facing
them.
1.8 Limitation Of The Study
In the course of this study, the
researcher experienced some constraints; the constraints encountered by the
researcher include the following
Time: A lot of time as required enabling the
researcher to conduct an extensive survey of the activities of the women
entrepreneur in the area selected. Within the time given for the research work
ad at the same time performing other academic engagement.
Lack of finance: Another
limitation to this study was finance; A study of this type requires sufficient
money to enable the researcher to travel from one place to another where women
entrepreneurs are located in order to assess the activities of these women
entrepreneurs on the spot in order to obtain the relevant made it difficult for
the researcher to extend the scope of the research to other state of he country
to collect data on the impact of women entrepreneurs in development of those
areas.
Other limitation to this study was the
difficulty encounter by the researcher especially during the oral interview
conducted by the researcher with some Idemili women entrepreneurs. Some of them
were unable to supply relevant information needed especially in connection with
the questionnaires given to them by the researcher.
Finally, another major constraint is
visiting many institutions and libraries for each data, which also gives the
researcher a lot of problems.
1.9 Definition Of Terms
Entrepreneurs: refers
to person perceives business opportunities and takes advantage of scarce
resources to use them. They are in other words under takers who created
business with the view to make profit. An entrepreneur is an investor also
either in her own business or other people’s business.
Economic: This
means the administration of the material resources individual community or
country the state of those resources.
Development: This
means a change towards the better, it is a new stage, which is as a result of
growing larger, fuller, or more natured. It is an organized and gradual
unfolding from one state to another.
Impact: Refers
to ones contribution life or in any event.
Women entrepreneurs: This refers to women who by their own
involvement in entrepreneurship form their own ventures and takes over or mange
risk investments and makes vital decision in running of such venture.
Entrepreneurship: This
is a process of creating something with value devoting the necessary time and
effort. Assuming accomplishing the financial psychological and social risk and
receiving the satisfaction.