CONTRIBUTION OF COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES IN ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF RURAL WOMEN

Abstract

This study set out to examine the contribution of cooperative societies in economic empowerment of rural women in Nigeria with particular interest in Oshodi-Isolo LGA, Lagos State. Specific objectives were to determine the contribution of social activities of cooperative society on women empowerment; and ascertain the influence of economic activities of cooperative society on women empowerment. To examine the relationship between corporative society activities and economic empowerment of rural women. In Oshodi-Isolo corporative societies perform the role of distributing goods and services to their members, promoting unity, provision of goods and services among others, they offer assistance to farmers to improve the quality of their farm produce throughout careful grading and storage. Members are encouraged to produce the best by paying higher prices for high-quality products. Up to date, the optimum potentialities of cooperative societies are yet to be fully exploited; this is due to constraints militating against cooperative societies. The possible recommendation is that at least all villages or clans in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area should have cooperative societies another is that a cooperative bank should be created to solve the problem of lack of capital.

CHAPTER ONE

                                        INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Since the beginning of the 21st century Rural Women began to enjoy more freedom and power than ever before. According to Ngash (2000) women are still at disadvantage when they are deprived of equal access to education, health care, capital and decision making power in the political, social business and even in the family. The world has recognized the vital importance of education as the main aspect of human security and as means to empower rural women; according to United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) Report of 2001 women in Africa represent 52 percent of total population contribute approximately 75 percent of Agricultural work and produce 60 to 80 percent of food rural women consume yet they are numbers indicate the challenges women face on their road to gender equality; despite the efforts made in the developing countries like Nigeria, majorities of women are still relegated to micro enterprises etc. However, there is a wide consensus that industry in the economy empowerment of rural women will help reverse these trends, increase income controlled by women gives them self – confidence which help them obtain a voice and also get to vote in the political, social, business and even in family life. The rural women who control their own income intend having a fewer children because the fertility rates have shown to be inversely related to national income growth. Cooperatives have been defined in diverse ways by various people and writers for different purposes. Tonyi, (2009) views cooperatives as an association of persons with a common economic and thorough formation of a democratically controlled business organization, such persons as associates make equitable contribution to the capital required and accept fair share of benefits and risks of their undertaking. Cooperative seem to be the best instrument used by government mostly to bring about serious economic development in the country. Financial institutions like banks tend to use mostly rural women cooperatives to improve or develop the economy. This could be said to be in the form of empowerment to the rural women cooperatives A cooperative society is an association of individual who voluntarily pool their resource and carry on the business for their own welfare and not for a profit seeking business. It is democratic form of organization in which the consumers are the owners of business from manage to clerk all are the owners of the business and all management is in their hands in this organization capitalists is not involved. Ihimodu (2008). Views co-operative society as a voluntarily association stated with the aim of service of its members. It is a form of business where individuals belonging to the same class join their hands for the promotion of their common goals. These are goals. These are generally formed by the poor people or weaker section people in the society. It reflects the desire of the poor people to stand on their own legs or own merit. The philosophy of the formation of the cooperative society is “all for each and each for all”. Manser (2004) view co-operative society is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owner and democratically-controlled enterprise. A co-operative society is another means for forming a legal entity to conduct business besides forming a company. It pools together human resources in the spirit of self and mental help with objects of providing service and support to members.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Perhaps, the major problem confronting the women today is unemployment which leads to high rate of poverty. World Bank (2013) confirms 112million Nigerians living below poverty line. This followed another depressing disclosure by the World Bank, which said that the population of Nigerians in poverty has increased considerably and significantly. The figure represents about sixty seven percent (67%) of the entire population. In spite of all the orchestrated policies and programmes of successive government in Nigeria as well as several works and researches conducted by various authors and organization, the Nigeria women still leave a lot to be desired. Cooperatives the world over are in a state of flux. In almost all parts of the world, cooperatives face one or more of the following crises: the crisis of ideology, the crisis of capital, the crisis of credibility and crisis of management (Taimni, 2017). Cheney 2015) identified five challenges facing cooperatives. These are cultural transformation, competition and expansion, wage solidarity, centralization and reorganization, and programs to increase productivity and participation. Groves (2015) on the other hand, posits that one of the major problems of cooperatives is how to keep balance in the two parts of cooperative business, efficiency and democracy since those who are charged with the operation of a cooperative chiefly the board and manager must serve two masters: the imperatives of good business practice and the social purpose of a community of people. Hence, to maintain their special character, cooperatives must be two things in one: a business organization and a social movement. This is what makes a cooperative business enterprise with a human face and so, very difficult to manage. In striving for efficiency, cooperatives often tend to imitate other businesses, but in pursuing a social purpose they bring out the features, which make them different (Laidlaw, 2014). Educating, training and retraining of members in general and officers, in particular, is always a challenge to cooperatives especially in developing countries. A cooperative without a strong component of education is in danger of losing its essential character, that is, the human and personal characteristics which distinguish it as a cooperative. Education is of paramount importance to the cooperative sector. Unless all those responsible for cooperatives (directors, officers, members, staff) are well informed and knowledgeable, cooperatives are likely, in some countries, to become much like a capitalist, profit-seeking business, or in other countries to become handmaids of the State. Education makes people easy to lead, but difficult to drive; easy to govern but impossible to enslave. Assuming the validity of the sector concept (the “mixed economy”, as it is often called), cooperators face such questions as what type of business activity is most suitable for each of the three sectors, public, private and cooperative? Are there certain kinds of businesses that rightfully belong to the public sector? Are there others, which are best left to private enterprise? What kinds, ideally, are most suitable for the cooperative way of business? Are there some fields in which all three may engage and compete? Hence, one other challenge that cooperative societies face is the choice of business most suitable for the enterprise. Another challenge facing cooperatives is an adaptation. No business in a national economic system is completely independent and self-sufficient but operates in conditions of dependence and interdependence. Both capitalist businesses and cooperatives depend to some extent on the State and services provided by the State (highways, water supply, the postal system, etc.).

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The study has one main objective which is sub-divided into general and specific objective. The general objective is to examine the contribution of corporative society in economic empowerment of rural women with emphasis on Oshodi-Isolo. The specific objectives are;

1. To determine the contribution of social activities of cooperative society on women empowerment
2. To ascertain the influence of economic activities of cooperative society on women empowerment.

• To examine the relationship between corporative society activities and economic empowerment of rural women

1. To proffer suggested solutions to the identified problem

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION

The following research questions were formulated by the researcher to aid the completion of the study

1. Does social activities of cooperative society contribute to women empowerment in rural area?
2. Does corporative society economic activities have any influence on women empowerment?

• Is there any significant relationship between corporative society activities and economic empowerment of rural women?

1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

The following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher to aid the completion of the study;

H₀: There is no significant relationship between corporative society activities and economic empowerment of rural women

H₁: There is a significant relationship between corporative society activities and economic empowerment of rural women

H₀: Corporative society economic activities does not have any influence on women empowerment

H₂: Corporative society economic activities does have an influence on women empowerment

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more about this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for another study.

1.7 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study covers the contribution of corporative societies in economic empowerment of rural women with emphasis on Oshodi-Isolo. But in the course of the study, there are some factors that limit the scope of the study;

Financial constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire, and interview).

Time constraint: The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted to the research work.

1.8 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

Cooperative: A cooperative is “an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise”.

Society: A society is a group of individuals involved in persistent social interaction, or a large social group sharing the same geographical or social territory, typically subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations.

Economic development: is the growth of the standard of living of a nation people from a low-income (poor) economy to a high-income (rich) economy. When the local quality of life is improved, there is more economic development.

1.9 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows

Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), statement of problem, objectives of the study, research question, significance or the study, research methodology, definition of terms and historical background of the study. Chapter two highlight the theoretical framework on which the study its based, thus the review of related literature. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.  Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.

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