IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

WORLD JOURNAL OF ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (WJEDS )

E-ISSN 2579-0544
P-ISSN 2695-2483
VOL. 9 NO. 6 2024
DOI: 10.56201/wjeds.v9.no6.2024.pg143.157

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The impact of Entrepreneurship Development on the Economic Empowerment of Rural Women

Onyeka-Udeh, Virginia

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Abstract

This study examines the impact of entrepreneurship development programs on the economic empowerment of rural women, focusing on the barriers they encounter and potential strategies for enhanced support. Data were collected from 240 rural women through surveys, revealing that 65.0% of participants reported improvements in financial stability, with 75.0% noting enhanced market access. Despite these positive outcomes, significant barriers remain, primarily financial constraints, limited market access, and insufficient business training. The study identifies key recommendations for addressing these challenges, including increasing access to financial resources, expanding business training and mentorship, and establishing local entrepreneurship centers. These findings highlight the effectiveness of current programs while underscoring the need for targeted interventions to overcome remaining obstacles and further support rural women entrepreneurs in achieving sustained economic empowerment.

keywords:

Entrepreneurship, Economic Empowerment, Rural Women, Support Programs,

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