Study of the Contribution of Cooperative Societies to Women’s Economic Empowerment in Enugu State

Women's economic empowerment through cooperative engagement encompasses improvements in income, asset ownership, financial decision-making, and social networks. This study investigated the contribution of cooperative societies to women's economic empowerment in Enugu State, South East Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 180 female cooperative members from twelve societies in Enugu North, Nkanu East, and Igbo-Etiti LGAs. Structured questionnaires assessed income levels, asset ownership, participation in household financial decisions, access to cooperative credit, and social empowerment indicators including leadership experience and community voice. Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests compared pre and post-membership states. Results showed that income levels had increased for 77.8 percent of members following cooperative membership, with mean monthly income rising from 28,400 naira to 43,600 naira over three years of membership. Asset ownership, particularly land and equipment, improved for 41.1 percent of members, enabled by cooperative loans. Household financial decision-making participation increased significantly post-membership (p < 0.001). Community leadership roles were assumed by 38.9 percent of surveyed women, including positions within and beyond the cooperative. However, cultural constraints on women's mobility and financial autonomy remained barriers for 46.7 percent of respondents in more rural communities. The study recommends gender-sensitisation training for male cooperative leaders and targeted women's credit products within cooperative loan portfolios. Keywords: women's economic empowerment, cooperative societies, Enugu State, gender, South East Nigeria