Empowering rural women for poverty reduction via well-managed education and social support: a case study of Owa communities in Nigeria

Abstract

Employing mixed methods research design of the ex-post facto type, this study made use of 240 rural women and girls selected through stratified sampling technique to find out the education and social support services that can be used to empower rural women of Owa communities in Nigeria for poverty reduction. Findings obtained through data analysis using descriptive statistics indicated that the strategies for effective management of education for poverty reduction among rural women include provision of vocational training, education on income generating activities and making the education provided relevant to their present and future needs. The social support services that can help empower rural women included provision of scholarship for girls and women and provision of large scale irrigation system for rural women farmers. The study recommended among others that league of professional in Owa communities; NGOs and CBOs should collaborate to empower women through education and social support services for poverty reduction and development in Owa communities, Nigeria.