The Constraints of Rural Women in Informal Economic Activities in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The paper analyzes the constraints on rural women in the informal sector of Imo State, Nigeria. Lack of access roads, irregular means of transportation, inadequate credit facilities, inaccessibility to socio-economic facilities and land tenure are identified as among the factors that have adverse effects on the participation/activities of rural women engaged in informal economic activities in the rural areas of Imo State. The paper further reveals that a majority of rural women in Imo State, engaged in informal economic activities, do not have significant access to institutional finance, neither do they for socio-economic services that could enhance women’s informal economic activities. The paper eventually makes policy recommendations to help alleviate women’s difficulties in the informal sector.