ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF COORPERATIVE SOCIETIES ON WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN GOMBE METROPOLIS, GOMBE STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

This study assessed the impact of cooperative societies on women empowerment in Gombe
metropolis, Gombe Sate Nigeria. The study examined the socio-economic characteristics of
women cooperatives in Gombe metropolis, identifies the sources of income of the cooperative
societies, assessed the impact of cooperative societies on women empowerment and investigated
the challenges faced by the cooperative societies. Data was gathered from systematically selected
women based on Taro Yamene formula with error margin of 0.01 (10%) out of the 19 registered
and functional cooperatives in Gombe metropolis. Descriptive statistics were employed in
analyzing the data which found that the predominant sources of income of the cooperative
societies was membership contributions (30%), 53% of the respondents said that they benefitted
from the dividends shared by the cooperatives, which some used in acquiring landed properties
and payment of children’s school fees (30% and 27%) respectively. Relationship between the
socio-economic characteristics of the cooperators as independent variables and participation in
cooperatives as dependent variable was tested using chi-square, the result shows that out of
seven independent variables, six were statistically significant. The study concluded that women
cooperators have been moderately empowered economically to meet up with basic needs of the
family. Therefore, the government and development organizations should enhance the
effectiveness of cooperative societies through sustained awareness campaign and financial
support for sustainable development.