THE ROLE OF FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS IN POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN RURAL COMMUNITIES: THE CASE STUDY OF AWKA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA IN ANAMBRA STATE,NIGERIA

THE ROLE OF FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS IN POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN RURAL COMMUNITIES: THE CASE STUDY OF AWKA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA IN ANAMBRA STATE,NIGERIA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

APPROVAL                                                                                                               I

CERTIFICATION                                                                                                     ii

Dedication                                                                                                                   iii

Acknowledgement                                                                                                      iv

Outline page                                                                                                                v

Abstract                                                                                                                      1

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study                                                                                      2

1.2 Statement of the Research Problem                                                                      2

1.3  Research Questions                                                                                             3

1.4  Objectives of the study                                                                                       3

1.5 limitation of the Study                                                                                          4

1.6 Statement of the Research Hypothesis                                                                4

1.7 Definitions of Terms                                                                                            4

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Theoretical Issues on SMEs                                                                                 7

2.2 Conceptual Review of the Study

2.3 Empirical Review                                                                                                  14

2.4 Concept of Poverty                                                                                              16

2.5 Theoretical Framework                                                                                         18

2.6 Previous Empirical Studies on the Relationship between SMEs and   Poverty   19

Alleviation

2.7 Alleviating Poverty through Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Micro,          20

2.8 Alleviating Poverty through Women Entrepreneurship                                      21

2.9 Women as Entrepreneur                                                                                                  22

2.10 Gap in knowledge                                                                                               23

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Study Area                                                                                                            25

3.2 Research Design                                                                                                   25

3.3 Population Of The Study                                                                                     25

3.4 sample size                                                                                                           26

3.5 Methods of Data Collection                                                                                 26

3.6   Analytical Technique                                                                                          27

3.7 Source Of Data                                                                                                     28

CHAPTER FOUR

PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA

4.1 Socio-Economic Profile Of Respondent                                                               29

4.1.1 Age Distribution Of The Respondent                                                               29

4.1.2 Educational Qualification                                                                                   29

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 operation                                                                                               34

4.3   Assessment of Income and Employment generating capacity of   SMEs          35

4.3.1  Income Generation                                                                                            35

4.4 Impact of SMEs on Living Conditions of  Owners                                              35

4.4.1 Income Level                                                                                                      36

4.4.2   Toilet Facility                                                                                                  36

4.4.3  Sources of Water                                                                                               37

4.4.4  Sources of Energy for Cooking                                                                         37

4.4.5   Access to Medical Care                                                                                   37

4.4.6   Sources of Electricity/Power Supply                                                              38

4.4.7   Affordable and Adequate Meal per Day                                                         38

4.4.8  SME’s increase employment                                                                            39

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMRARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Summary of the Findings.                                                                                     42

5.2 Conclusion                                                                                                            42

5.3 Recommendations                                                                                                 43

REFERENCES                                                                                                  44

APPENDIX                                                                                                        48

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 socio-economic 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 Anambra State of Nigeria. Data were collected from 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 microenterprises have played key role in poverty alleviation   among the businesses’ owners in Awka Division through income generation and job creation.

THE ROLE OF FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS IN POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN RURAL COMMUNITIES: THE CASE STUDY OF AWKA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA IN ANAMBRA STATE,NIGERIA