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
APPROVAL I
CERTIFICATION ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Outline page v
Abstract 1
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study 2
1.2Statement 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 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
