1.0 Introduction
The lack of data on the level of involvement of women in the economy, activities in Nigeria had made it impossible to assess the roles and contribution towards the economic growth of Nigeria.
Through women contribute over 80% of the national food supply, their economic power are still limited. They have limited access to ownership of land and housing, limited participation in nation building. Women empowerment is determined by the society and also by the societal perception.
One cannot therefore overemphasize the important role which cooperative movement can play on the lives of women in Nigeria especially in this era of food shortage and economic depression. This present study, goes on to investigate the contribution of cooperative society in the economic empowerment of women and the problem militating against the full participation of women in the cooperative society with a view of making recommendation.
1.1 General Overview of the Study
History has shown that development can occur only when every member that constitutes the society participates in its development.
Hence development should be seen as a collective responsibility of all the people that makes up the society irrespective of sex, age and class.
Though women contribute over 80% of the national food supply, their economic power are still limited. They have limited access to ownership of the land and housing, limited participation in nation building. The role of women in economic empowerment is determined by the society and also by the societal perception of the status generally.
It is certain that the cooperative society play an increasingly significant role in satisfying material, social and potential need of their rural and urban women in Nigeria.
It was as a result of the federal republic of Nigeria, National development plan policy aimed at fostering the growth of cooperative movement as an instrument for achieving increased agricultural production and rural transformation. Some of this programme such as FADAMA programme for farmers which are in farmer's cooperative society, better life for rural women, family support programme.
Inspite of the government emphasis on the needs for Nigerians to form cooperative societies in order to achieve self sufficiency in food production, especially during this period of economic melt-down, we are yet to experience the women's full participation in cooperative societies.
Out of a population of 140 million only 2.4% of Nigerian women are cooperators.
The present study goes on to investigate the role of cooperative society in Economic empowerment of women and the problem militating against the full participation of women in cooperative society with view of making recommendation.
1.2 Statement of Problems
It has been universally accepted that no nation can achieve a full economic power and sustainable growth, when it leaves women in the development process. it is quite imperative for developing nation to consider both, sustainable human development and economic growth, however, in Nigeria we find that to varying women especially rural women constitute socially, economically and practically disadvantaged group when compared to their male counterparts.
The introduction of cooperative society in Nigeria is to correct the imbalance; this is to be solved in this research work which centered on the role and relevance of cooperative society towards the empowerment and educational development of women.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The research therefore undertakes the following:
- To determine the extent to which cooperative societies help their member economically.
- To identify the problems confronts women participation in cooperative society.
- To determine the role of cooperative societies in women empowerment
- To determine the extent to which women have benefited from cooperative societies.
1.4 Research Questions
This study is guided by the following question;
- Do cooperative societies contribute to national development?
- To what extent do women engage in socio-economic roles that contribute to national development?
- To what extent does lack of fund effect women in their struggle for empowerment?
- To what does, illiteracy effect women participation on cooperative?
- What kind of contribution does government give to cooperative society?
1.5 Significance of the Study
The value of any research depends on its contribution to acknowledge its development.
This study is important especially now that the present democratic government has placed great emphasis on the mobilization of women in rural and urban areas for national development.
This study will enable the federal government to work had and implement realistic measures to motivate women so that they can embark on economic ventures.
No nation can grow beyond its enlightened populace.
However, this form a way forward towards educating and enlightening the rural women who constitute the greater part of the population.
This study also highlights the activities of cooperative societies towards women empowerment and setback, that these cooperative societies' faces in Nigeria with an aim of making recommendation on how those problems could be checked, so as to improve the imbalance.
It will be a stepping stone to other similar researcher especially in the area of women and national development.
1.6 Scope of the Study
The present study is limited to the point treated and with role the concentration to the socio-economic role of cooperative society in the empowerment of women's as well as identify the factors as what kind of contribution does government give to cooperative society, what extent dies illiteracy effect women participation on cooperative society and those factors that militate against the participation of women in cooperative society.
1.7 Limitation of the Study
The researcher was faced with some problems as he was conducting the study. They include:
A) Finding:
Being dependent, I found it difficult raising funds for the investigation.
B) Accessibility:
Due to protocols it was not easy to get to the note of the women cooperative for my study. Consequently, it was difficult to know the contribution of cooperative society towards women empowerment.
C) Transportation:
Difficulty and government interference couple with the bad roads was the problem of high cost of transporting following government deregulation of fuel prices.
D) Ignorance and Secretiveness On The Part of the Cooperative:
This lead to their unwillingness to freely volunteer information to the researcher after even, educating them in the aim of the study.
1.8 Definition of Terms
The definition of the under listed terms is as used on context
A) Cooperative Societies:
According to Ogujiofor, cooperative societies are association of persons, who voluntary joined together through a business organization to achieve their common need while equitably contributing their required capital, sharing in the risks and benefits and members participate actively and democratically.
B) Empowerment:
This refers to increasing the spiritual, political, social and economic strength of women; it often involves the empowered, developing confidence on their own capacities.
C) National Development:
This is progressive quantitative and qualitative change of a country to contribute to national development is to be effective in ones role.
D) Role:
This is the behaviour that is generally expected of one who occupies a particular position or status.
E) Enlightenment:
This is getting an individual to adopt to his environment in which he lives, by inculcating in him, those knowledge, skills, values and attitudes required his day-to-day activities.
