Perception and factors influecing the formation and membership of self-help groups among rural women in Kaduna State Nigeria

Abstract

Group action has been identified as a veritable means of empowering rural folks, especially rural women, who constitute about 50% of the rural population. Studies have shown that Nigerian rural women are socially, politically and economically more disadvantaged than their male counterparts. This study was carried out to evaluate the perception and socio-demographic determinant of membership of self-help groups among rural women in Kaduna state. A multistage sampling procedure was used to randomly select 204 respondents from 20 wards in two local government areas of the state. The respondents were interviewed using a pretested structured questionnaire. Two set of statements based on a 5-point Likert type scale were used to evaluate perception while simple correlation analysis was run to determine variables influencing membership of SHGs. The results showed high mean scores of the Likert test indicative of positive perception towards SHGs. The correlation analysis showed that only two variables Age and Education significantly influenced membership of the SHGs (p<0.06); the others being statistically insignificant. Constraints mitigating membership of SHGs were identified and recommendations are proffered aimed at sensitizing the women folk and enhancing their pro-active involvement in SHGs.

Keywords: Perceptions, Membership, Self-Help Groups Rural Women