FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT THROUGH MICRO-CREDIT AS PREDICTORS OF EONOMIC AND INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES OF SELECTED WOMEN BENEFICIARIES IN IBADAN, OYO STATE

Abstract

The study examines the contributions of micro-credit scheme one of the key elements of income generating activities to women socio-economic empowerment and development in Ibadan metropolis. The target participants were women beneficiaries of micro-credit scheme totally one thousand, three hundred and seventy-nine respondents (1,379). Data were collected through a set of questionnaires tagged “Financial Empowerment and Income Generation Activities Questionnaire” (FEIGAQ) and focus group discussion (FGD) and key informant interview (KII). The findings revealed that if the scheme is well implemented it help in promoting women economic well-being as well as improving their standard of living. The study also revealed that micro-credit scheme is another means of fund raising for income generating venture that we empower women financially and make them contribute meaningfully to socio-political development of their society. The study makes recommended that government should provide enabling environment for the implementation of the scheme which enhance the development of the individuals as well as the society at large.