THE ROLE OF FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS IN POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN RURAL COMMUNITIES: THE CASE STUDY OF AWKA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENTÂ AREA IN ANAMBRA STATE,NIGERIA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
APPROVALÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â I
CERTIFICATIONÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 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
2.2Â 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
4.2.3Â Â Â 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
REFERENCESÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 44
APPENDIXÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 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.
