Skill acquisition, capacity building and women economic empowerment: a case study of Women Education Center, Birnin Kebbi

Abstract

Lack of vocational training has been considered as the bane of the economy of many African countries particularly Nigeria. The indispensable role of women in any development process calls for eradication of gender related barriers and women empowerment at all levels. This study examined the impact of skill acquisition and capacity building on women economic empowerment with reference to the activities of Women Education Center Birnin Kebbi. A sample of 225 respondents was selected from a population of 452 graduates due to time and cost constraints. A descriptive survey was conducted using a structured interview. Two null hypotheses stated were tested using spearman rank correlation coefficient at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that there is a low positive correlation between skill acquisition and women economic empowerment and a high positive correlation between capacity building and women economic empowerment. However, while the relationship between skill acquisition and women economic empowerment was not significant, the relationship between capacity building and women economic empowerment was significant. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that government should invest more on human capital development particularly on women, increase expenditure on instructional materials and infrastructural facilities at vocational training centers, improve by assisting trainees with capital to start business. Finally, women should be allowed by their guardians to learn functional skills to improve their economic status and avail themselves the opportunity offered by government to get functional skills. This will go a long way in attaining the MDGs.