Abstract:
Saving and credit cooperatives play major role in improvement and empowerment of women
economy. The objective of this study was to assess the roles of saving and credit cooperatives
in improving economic Empowerment of women in Ambo Town. The study used descriptive
survey design in which both qualitative and quantitative approaches used to achieve the
objectives of the study. Simple random sampling technique was used in selecting respondents
and the number of the respondents was determined using Kothari (2004) formula to select
sample respondents. From Saving and Credit Cooperatives population, 101 of respondents
were selected and 30 board of directors for group discussions and 4 cooperative promoters
for the purpose of interview during the period in 2023. For this study, descriptive statistics
were used to analyze primary data collected. The finding of the study has revealed that the
majority of respondents have regular savings according to their by law but regarding
voluntary saving, Child saving, Insurance saving and saving during hardship were very low.
Also, the results show that a significant number of clients had increased their income, saving,
decision making and asset ownership rights and safeguarded themselves and their families
from financial difficulties. Concerning loyalty, the majority of respondents were not paying
loan and interest of loan on time based on their agreement, the SACCO's management
committee was not equally serving their members. Regarding the economic factor, the Access
and Source of Credit respondent result revealed SACCOs was the main source of their credit
to all members but the women members of SACCO's have not gotten sufficient credit when
she requested for different activity to improve their economic Empowerment. Thus, the
researcher recommended that the government should play its role to improve the economic
Empowerment of women in the SACCOs, based on the cooperative proclamation and other
rules and regulations set timely. Also, it is recommended that a study be carried out on the
other factors that affect saving and Credit Cooperatives in improving the economic
Empowerment of women members especially relative to economic factors
