The Role of women groups in women economic empowerment: the case of Ambo Town, West Shoa Zone, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Women Economic Empowerment is critical to the development of both the individual woman and the world at large.In Ethiopia, women are frequently involved in free and unrecognized activities, causing them to be the most deprived of compensation while less recognition So far, no systematic study has been undertaken and not clear to what extent involvement in women groups activities led to economic empowerment of the group members in Ambo town. Accordingly, this study was undertaken to assess the role of women groups in women economic Empowerment in the Ambo town, West Shoa zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. To conduct this study, descriptive type of research with mixed research approach was employed. The study was based on primary data collected from 141 respondent selected at random sampling technique using schedule interview. Additional information was also obtained from key informants and focus group discussion .The data has been analyzed by descriptive statistics such as frequency mean and tables .The findings of the study revealed that the major challenges women groups members in economic empowerment include poor management, conflict in interest, lack of formal education, lack of network, lack of collateral in loan and inadequate lack of experience in the study area. From the study it can be concluded that the women group members faced challenges in enhancing their economic empowerment in the study area. Women and Children affairs office of Ambo town should be solved gender related factors that influence performance of women groups and should be given serious attention to gender related factors in economic activities for empowerment of women.