THE ROLE OF FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS IN POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN RURAL COMMUNITIES

ABSTRACT The study assessed the role of female entrepreneurs in poverty alleviation in rural communities of Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria.  It specifically analysed the socioeconomic characteristics of women entrepreneurship and assessed the contribution of female-owned businesses to poverty alleviation in the study area. The main reason for this study was due to the fact that most studies on the relationship between businesses development and poverty alleviation have concentrated on aggregate effects of small businesses on poverty reduction with little attention on gender issue in rural areas. The study employed primary data. The target population was all the women-owned enterprises from eight communities in Awka South Local Government Area in the Anambra State of Nigeria. Data were collected from a primary source, using questionnaire on a sample of 205 female-0wned   enterprises. Responses of the respondents were analysed using percentages and the chi-square tests were carried out to support the analysis. The study, therefore, concluded that female-owned micro enterprises have played a key role in poverty alleviation among the businesses’ owners in Awka Division through income generation and job creation.

TABLE OF CONTENTS APPROVALI CERTIFICATIONii Dedicationiii Acknowledgementiv Outline pagev Abstract1
CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the study2 1.2Statement of the Research Problem2 1.3  Research Questions3 1.4  Objectives of the study3 1.5 limitation of the Study4 1.6 Statement of the Research Hypothesis4 1.7 Definitions of Terms4
CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Theoretical Issues on SMEs 7 2.2 Conceptual Review of the Study 2.3 Empirical Review14 2.4 Concept of Poverty16 2.5 Theoretical Framework 18 2.6 Previous Empirical Studies on the Relationship between SMEs and Poverty Alleviation 2.7 Alleviating Poverty through Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Micro, 20  2.8 Alleviating Poverty through Women Entrepreneurship21  2.9 Women as Entrepreneur22 2.10 Gap in knowledge23
CHAPTER THREE METHODOLOGY 3.1 Study Area25 3.2 Research Design25 3.3 Population Of The Study25 3.4 sample size26 3.5 Methods of Data Collection26 3.6   Analytical Technique27 3.7 Source Of Data28
CHAPTER FOUR PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA 4.1 Socio-Economic Profile Of Respondent29 4.1.1 Age Distribution Of The Respondent29 4.1.2 Educational Qualification29 4.2  Nature and Type of SMEs Businesses in Awka south Area in Anambra State   29 4.2.1 Nature of Business 31 4.2.2 The size of Business 32 4.2.3   Ownership Structure  4.2.4 Year of operation34 4.3  Assessment of Income and Employment generating capacity of   SMEs          35 4.3.1  Income Generation35 4.4 Impact of SMEs on Living Conditions of  Owners35 4.4.1 Income Level36 4.4.2   Toilet Facility 36 4.4.3  Sources of Water37 4.4.4  Sources of Energy for Cooking 37 4.4.5   Access to Medical Care37 4.4.6   Sources of Electricity/Power Supply38 4.4.7   Affordable and Adequate Meal per Day38 4.4.8  SME’s increase employment39
CHAPTER FIVE SUMMRARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 5.1 Summary of the Findings.42 5.2 Conclusion42 5.3 Recommendations43 REFERENCES44 APPENDIX48