WOLITA SODO UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCICENCE AND HUMANITIES

DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIROMENTAL STUDIES

Determinants of Rural Women’s Economic Empowerment through

Agricultural Activities In Case Of Bita Woreda Kaffa Zone of South West
People Region Of Ethiopia.

Seiner Research Submitted to College of Social Science and Humanities,

department of Geography in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
degree of the bachelor of art (BA) in geography

By:
ADUGNA ASSEFA

ADIVISOR: MISS YEBALEWORK B.

MIZAN AMAN, ETHIOPIA

JULY, 2024

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and above all, I would like to be grateful for the loving, kindness, and faithfulness of the
Almighty God with his mother St. Mary for giving me a chance to be there with successful
accomplishment of my work.
I am indebtedness to express my heartfelt gratitude and great honor to my major advisor, Miss
Yebalework.for her invaluable guidance, critical comments and encouragement during my
study.

My special thanks to the Women who participated in the study area

Last, but not the least, I would like to extend my appreciation to my family for their strength,
patience, remarkable moral support and protection throughout the study period

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents Pages

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................................ ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................ iii

LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................ v

ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................. vi

1. INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................... 1

1.1. Background of the study .................................................................................................. 1

1.2. Statement of the Problem ................................................................................................. 3

1.3. Objectives of the Study .................................................................................................... 4

1.3.1. General objective .......................................................................................................... 4

1.3.2. Specific objectives .................................................................................................... 4

1.4. Research Questions .......................................................................................................... 4

1.5. Scope of the study ............................................................................................................ 5

1.6. Significance of the study .................................................................................................. 5

1.7. Organization of the paper ................................................................................................. 6

2. LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................................ 7

2.1. Theoretical review of literature ........................................................................................ 7

2.1.1. The Concept and Definition of Empowerment ......................................................... 7

2.1.2. Some major theories on women‟s empowerment ..................................................... 8

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 2.2. Empirical Literature Review ............................................................................................ 9

2.3. Conceptual Framework of the study .............................................................................. 10

3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ...................................................................................... 12

3.1. Description of the Study Areas .......................................................................................... 12

3.2. Research Design and Strategy ........................................................................................... 13

3.3. Sample Size and Sampling techniques .............................................................................. 14

3.4. Methods and sources of data collection ............................................................................. 15

3.4.1. Nature and Source of Data .......................................................................................... 15

3.5. Data Analysis Techniques.................................................................................................. 16

4. RESULT AND DISCUSSION ............................................................................................... 17

4.1. The Result of Descriptive Statistics .................................................................................... 17

4.1.1. Demographic Factors of Economic Empowerment of rural Women ......................... 17

4.1.2. Economic Factors of rural Women Economic Empowerment ................................... 19

4.1.2.3. Employment and attending on any paid work ......................................................... 20

4.1.2.5. Household farm income ........................................................................................... 21

4.1.3. Social Factors of rural Women Economic Empowerment ......................................... 22

4.1.3.2. Extension Services ................................................................................................... 22

5. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION .................. 25

5.1. Summary ............................................................................................................................ 25

5.2. Conclusions ........................................................................................................................ 25

5.2. Recommendations .............................................................................................................. 25

REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................ 28

Appendix I Questionnaire .......................................................................................................... 31

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 LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Age of respondents .......................................................................................................... 17
Table 2: Family size of respondents.............................................................................................. 18
Table 3: Educational status of respondents ................................................................................... 19
Table 4: Farm size......................................................................................................................... 19
Table 5:Non-farm income ............................................................................................................. 20
Table 6: Employment and/or doing in any paid work .................................................................. 20
Table 7: Own property .................................................................................................................. 21
Table 8: Household income .......................................................................................................... 21
Table 9: Credit Utilization ............................................................................................................ 22
Table 10: Extension services ......................................................................................................... 22
Table 11: Access to information ................................................................................................... 23
Table 13: Participation on community affairs .............................................................................. 24

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 ABSTRACT
This study was aimed at analyzing the determinants of economic empowerment of rural
women through agricultural activities in the Bita Woreda of Kaffa Zone, South western
of Ethiopia. A total of 85 sample farm households were randomly selected from two selected
kebeles. Primary and secondary data sources were used for this study. Primary data were
collected through structured questionnaire, key informant interview and focus group discussions.
Descriptive statistics were used to analyzing the collected data. The improvement of the
contribution of each indicator to women disempowerment according to their importance
shall reduce disempowerment and facilitate adequate empowerment in all dimensions.
Hence the findings of the study may inform policymakers about the d eterminants of
economic empowerment though agriculture in the Woreda, and helps to formulate
constructive policy that will improve economic empowerment of rural women and that
will to promote the economic development of the country on other hand.

Keywords: Economic empowerment, Women. Ethiopia

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 1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background of the study

In the economy of many African countries, particularly in Ethiopian economic development,

women are the backbone of the food production system. According to the findings of the study
done by EARO (2000) women constitute about 50 percent of the total population of the country
and out of the subsistence agricultural production in the country; they provide the majority (50-
80 percent) of the total labor and time inputs required for crop production, and cover up to 77
percent of the labor and time input required in livestock production.

However, in Ethiopia the basis for differences between the lives of men and women lies in the
traditional patriarchy of Ethiopia which remains supported by religion and culture. While recent
changes to the constitution and the legal code were meant to resolve and do away with
patriarchal attitudes plus practices and engendered some changes, there is still need for further
transforming discriminatory attitudes toward the female gender at the work place, in the public
sphere and at homes (Haregewoin & Emebet, 2003 and Afework et al., 2011).

Most importantly, in Ethiopia gender-based discrimination and inequalities are very much
apparent, although the government is working aggressively towards alleviating such problems.
As a result, low empowerment of women and high gender gap still impede the development
process of the country (Environmental Protection Authority, 2012). Even though the country is
on the path of development in various respects, the likelihood of its sustainability is in question,
given such a large gender disparity. Hence, this study reveals the need to economically empower
women and achieve gender equality for the sustainable development of the country.

Thus, women‟s participation in the economic sphere is narrow and largely limited to domestic
work and low paying menial jobs in the formal economic sphere, making them largely dependent
on men for economic support for themselves and their families. Despite all the hardship women
face, their valuable contribution has never been calculated inthe national GDPs globally.
However, women can prove to be a valuable resource and an asset for the country with the
abilities like handling multiple tasks simultaneously, which might not be that easy for male
employee Standing (as cited in Afroz, 2010 & Chalchissa and Emnet, 2013).

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For development to take root in the country women‟s role should be recognized and they have to
be given their share over all the properties. These days‟ governmental and non-governmental
organizations are trying to help women get recognition from society at which they are part of it,
what more surprising is that most women themselves do not realize that they are prevented from
owning what they deserve recognition and appreciation. When women do participate in rural
economic activities they may not be provided equal recognition for their responsibilities and
skills. This is because rural economic activities continue to be perceived as “male” by policy
makers, planners and agricultural service deliverers, thereby ignoring the important and
increasing role women play in rural activities (Messay, 2012).

Generally speaking, rural women in Bita Woreda have clear separate labor roles to play. Women
are responsible for reproductive activities in and around the household and also do most of the
work on farm or work for wage. Thus, one can argue that many rural women especially may
expose to economic problems due to different reasons. Therefore, research that assesses the level
and extent of determinants of economic empowerment of rural women participation in
performing different activities in the study area have vital role in identifying major problems and
suggesting solutions. The above background, therefore, provides the necessary basis and
justification for this research study.

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1.2. Statement of the Problem

Any political, economic and social activity that doesn‟t encompass and benefit women cannot be
fruitful because such an activity is based on half the manpower, half the knowledge, half the
effort, etc. of that which is available in the country (WCYA, 2013). Though women‟s rights to
equal participation and benefits with men can‟t be seen independently from the overall economic
and political progress in society, it is an established fact that women‟s rights need special
attention in the change process.

The sustainability of the economy of a country depends on the extent of the incorporation of
women in public decision-making, and the inclusion of their needs and interests in policy which
ultimately helps to ensure good governance. Since in developing countries women are more than
half of the total population, it is very important to utilize this part of population so that the talent
of whole population is optimally utilized (Afoz, 2010). Internationally, women‟s right to
participate in decision-making processes at local, national and international levels were
recognized by the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women
and the Beijing Fourth World Conference on Women and the issue of gender equality was also
focused by the Millennium Development Goals.

Rural Women are also having burden and responsibilities in executing home and field activities.
For instance, cleaning house, buying goods for home consumption, carrying agricultural products
to the market, and participation in various agricultural activities, like weeding are some of their
responsibilities. Despite their share of labor, their work is not valued by the society and the
decision to control over income goes to the men. In rural areas, women live in oppressive culture
that denies their right to participate in decision making process. Therefore, socio-economic
deprivation of women is characterized by their limited access to resources, services, and
employment. As a result, a large number of women are economically dependent on men.

The issue of women‟s empowerment is debatable issue and not researched well in Ethiopia
(Aregu et al., 2017).Even though some researchers have studied on relative topics of current
study, i.e. (Haimanot,2007;Chalchisa,2006; and Aregu et al 2017) conducted their studyon
„impact of micro finance on economic empowerment of women‟ on different regions of Ethiopia,
few researchers have studied the issue of economic empowerment of rural women in developing
countries of the world. For instance, Julia, (2010) in rural India; Nazrul, (2012) in rural

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Bangladish and Ayevbuomwan et, al (2016) in rural Nigeria by using a quantitative research
approach and also the level of significance of variables was not tested statistically, except
Ayevbuomwan et, al (2016) and Julia, (2010) which statistically tested the impact of six
variables by using logit and probit model respectively and found that they have significant
impact on economic empowerment of rural women.

The present study is different from forgoing studies, by incorporating about eleven variables in
the model. Besides, variable incorporation gap, there is Sampling & Sample size determination,
Time gap, Methods of data analysis, Research approach and study area gap since there is no
empirical studies have been conducted in Determinants of economic empowerment of rural
women to understand how they are participating in different rural activities in Bita Woreda. The
aforementioned problem necessitated this study to be carried out. Therefore, the objective of this
study is to fill the above gaps.

1.3. Objectives of the Study

1.3.1. General objective

The general objective of the study was to assess the determinants of economic empowerment of
rural women in Bita Woreda,Kafa Zone South Western Ethiopia

1.3.2. Specific objectives

The specific objectives of the study were:

 Analyzing the determinants of economic empowerment of rural women through

agricultural activities study area.
 To show socio-economic house hold factors that encouraged high human contributions to
farm decision making.
 To examine the level of women empowerment in agricultural index in the study area

1.4. Research Questions

The study is going to address the following research questions which are:

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 What are the demographic, economic and social factors that affecting economic
empowerment of rural women in the study area?
 What are the level and extent of women‟s economic empowerment in performing rural
activities in the Woreda?

1.5. Scope of the study

The study was delineated to Bita Woreda of Kaffa Zone in the South West people region of
Ethiopia. The research was conducted in ten villages of ten rural kebeles of the Woreda.
Delimitation of the study is the purposeful actions to reducing the study population and area to
be surveyed to a manageable size. Bita Woreda is the study area of research. This study is
limited to women groups aged 18-50 in the study area. Women are the backbone of families and
they are economically least empowered due to the patriarchal culture in African traditions. The
government, many NGOs and other financial agencies focus mainly on women; hence the study
will be delimited to them.
Thus, this study focused on the assessing the determinants of economic empowerment of rural
women.

1.6. Significance of the study

The study has both theoretical and practical significance. Theoretically, this study was added to
the body of knowledge on the levels of rural women‟s empowerment at the local and community
levels. It will throw more light on the existing literature with regard to the role of empowerment
on women‟s participation in overall developmental processes and the factors that limit rural
women‟s economic empowerment and participation in Economic activities. It will be of great
help to students and researchers who may want to investigate issues relating to women.

Practically, this work was produce data, which was enhance the understanding of major factors
that hinder women empowerment and participation in Economic activities and the best strategies
for eliminating the constraints. Based on this, governmental and non-governmental organizations
would be able to mount effective policies and empowerment programs that would be beneficial
to women and the community in general.

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This work was serve as a working document to women community-based organizations and
other established women organizations that are interested in improving the status of women.
Besides to this, the research findings was used to raise awareness among different stakeholders
and also serve as background information for others who seek to do further related studies and
also serve as for other areas of similar contexts.

1.7. Organization of the paper

This research paper was organized into five chapters. Chapter one incorporates the introductory
parts including; background of the study, statement of the problem, Research questions,
objectives of the study, scope of the study, significance of the study, organization of the
remaining chapters and definition of terms. Chapter two will present literature review with
respect to the theoretical perspective, empirical studies and conceptual framework on assessing
the determinants of economic empowerment of rural women. The third Chapter (methodology of
the study) which consists about research design and strategy, sample size and sampling
techniques, methods and sources of data collection, Data Analysis Techniques and Model
Specification.Chapter four deals about data analysis and discussion of the results, and the fifth
Chapter holds conclusion and recommendation.

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 2. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1. Theoretical review of literature

2.1.1. The Concept and Definition of Empowerment

Empowerment can be described as enhancing an individual‟s or group‟s capacity to make

choices and transform those choices into desired actions and outcomes (Alsop and Heinsohn,
2006. p 5). It is increasing an individual‟s ability to shape his or her life Narayan (2006) defines
empowerment as the expansion of assets and capabilities of poor people to participate in,
negotiate with, influence, control and hold accountable institutions that affect their lives. The key
elements determining the ability are stated to be internal constraints, particularly individuals‟
perceptions, preference, and aspirations; external constraints, such as discrimination and the
family, economic, social, cultural and political context, and assets, including human capital
(Stern, Nicholas et al., 2005).

As cited by Enanu belay (2013), Empowerment also refers to increasing the spiritual, political,
social, and educational, gender or economic strength of individuals and communities that are
labeled to be dimension of empowerment (Narayan, 2006). Malhotra, Schuler and Boender
(2002) have synthesized and list the most commonly used dimensions of women‟s
empowerment, drawing from the frameworks developed by various authors. They suggested that
women‟s empowerment needs to occur along the following dimensions: economic, socio-
cultural, familial, legal, political and psychological.

Access to resources does not by itself translate into empowerment or equality unless women
acquire the ability to use the resources to meet their goals. For resources to empower women
they must be able to use them for the purposes of their choice. The effective use of resources
requires agency, which is, the process of decision making, negotiation and manipulation (Kabeer,
2005). Women who have been excluded from decision making for most of their lives often lack
this sense of agency that allows them to define goals and act effectively to achieve them.

Poverty is usually defined in relation to the capacity to meet basic reeds. However, in terms of a
dynamic approach meeting one‟s needs today do not guarantee that they will be met tomorrow.
Vulnerability refers to the basic uncertainty which surrounds the capacity of poor people to meet
their needs on a regular and assured basis. Owing to a wider variety of risks and shocks, the poor
appear to be more vulnerable than the rest of the society (Kabeer, 2005).
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Furthermore, empowerment in one area cannot be sustained without attention to other facets
(Cheston and Kuhn, 2002). For example, reproductive and sexual rights cannot be fully exercised
where women lack independent economic resources. The promotion of empowerment also
requires addressing organizational structures and processes in addition to policy frameworks.
Empowerment is demonstrated by the quality of people‟s participation in the decisions and
processes affecting their lives. For participation to promote empowerment it needs to be more
than a process of consultation over decisions already made elsewhere. Strategies to support
women‟s empowerment should encourage women‟s participation at all stages of projects
including evaluation (ibid).

2.1.2. Some major theories on women’s empowerment

In the new global economy, women‟s empowerment has become a central issue for countries to
be able to achieve development goals such as economic growth, poverty reduction, health,
education and welfare (Golla et al., 2011). Of late there has been renewed interest in the rapport
between women‟s empowerment and health outcomes. Some of these theories focus on women‟s
empowerment and healthcare use (Fotso et al., 2008; Lee-Rife, 2010; and Sado et al., 2014).
Women‟s empowerment has been identified as a driving force in ensuring improved maternal
healthcare (Sado et al., 2014). The place of delivery is mainly influenced by wealth, education
and demographic and health covariates while autonomy, decision-making and freedom of
movement are found to have little influence on the place of delivery(Sado et al., 2014).

Larsen and Hollos, (2003) postulate that the progression from having one child to the next
declines owing to the status of women especially free partner choice, women‟s education and
household wealth. Attitudes towards wife beating have a negative relationship with a small ideal
number of children while household decision-making and positive attitudes towards violence are
strongly associated with a larger ideal number of children (Upadhyay and Karasek, 2012).
However, these findings suggest the need for further research to determine the most appropriate
empowerment measures that are context specific. These findings also highlight the need to
emphasize not only on factors enhancing health outcomes but also on other factors that are
driving forces for an improved quality of life.

A lot of previous research on women‟s empowerment has mainly focused on the determinants of
women‟s empowerment indicators which mainly include household decision-making and self-

8
esteem (El-Halawany, 2009; Ghuman et al., 2004; Kishor and Subaiya, 2008; Mahmud and
Tasmeen, 2014; Mahmud et al., 2012;Sado et al., 2014; and Trommlerova et al., 2015). Potential
sources of empowerment are defined as those factors which provide a basis for empowerment
including knowledge, media exposure and access and control over resources (as explained by
being employed for cash). Indicators of setting for empowerment are those conditions that reflect
both the past and current environments of the respondents and these factors appear to condition
the views and the chances available for women (Kishor and Subaiya, 2008).

Empowerment is largely determined by education, age, economic activity, country of residence

and being a polygamous married male (see Trommlerova et al., 2015). Kishor and Subaiya,
(2008) argue that social development indicators such as education are positively associated both
with taking decisions alone and jointly. They further show that women‟s empowerment is largely
determined by access and control over resources, indicators of sources of empowerment
(educational attainment, employment for cash and media exposure) and a setting of
empowerment including indicators such as a higher age at first marriage and smaller spousal age
difference.

However, there are variations and differences in the nature and determination of financial, social
and organizational dimensions which imply that women‟s control over one of the family aspects
does not necessarily imply control over other aspects. For example, while education and
employment are the main determinants of a woman‟s input in financial decision-making, these
variables exert no influence on social and organizational related household decision-making.

2.2. Empirical Literature Review

Some authors have tried to classify factors affecting economic empowerment of rural women in
different ways, among those Ayevbuomwan (2016) divided these factors into three main parts,
namely 1) Individual factors (age, relationship of household head & employment); 2) household
level factors (gender of household head, household size); and 3) environmental factor (region).
The division into these categories is based on in the way which approached to economic
empowerment from an interdisciplinary perspective which represents a narrower perspective of
determinants of economic empowerment of rural women. But in current study the researcher
reclassified factors with some modification as follow:

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1) Demographic factors (Age, Marital status, Education level and family size(household size)):
2)Social factors(Credit Utilization, Participation on community affairs and Access to
informational channels) and 3) Economic factors (Household income, income from nonfarm
activities, household farm size and employment).

2.3. Conceptual Framework of the study

In the following figure the relationship between dependent and independent variable is presented
as
follows.

Fig 2.1 Conceptual frame work of the study

Source: Source: Own formulation (2022)

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Literature review on women empowerment in different rural activities indicated that, in rural
areas, women are engaged in a wide variety of activities including participation in crop
production, animal husbandry, marketing, food processing and poultry production. Female
farmers have also been involved in generating additional income to their families, particularly,
when there are food shortages at the household level. However, women‟s work in this sector has
often been erroneously documented as marginal and they have been considered more as
consumer than producers. Women have secondary status within the family and in the society,
which is why they get little credit for their productivity. It is important to understand how
conditions for women have changed. (Mengiste, 2013)

The conceptual framework shown in fig 2.1 shows the relationship between the economic, social,
and demographic characteristics of the independent variables, and economic empowerment of
rural women (dependent variable) Therefore, in this study the researcher tries to analyze these
relationships, identify the influence of each of independent variables on the dependent variable.
The conceptual framework diagram of this study is presented in figure 2.1 above.

In this study efforts will be made to reveal factors influencing rural women‟s participation that
varies according to economic, social, and demographic characteristics of rural women. Based on
the literature review that deal with economic characteristics which affect rural women toward
economic empowerment such as: Household income, income from non-farm activities,
household farm size and employment will be assumed important and are considered in this study.
Accordingly, variables considered as social characteristics of rural women are: Credit
Utilization, participation on community affairs and access to information channels will be
assumed important and are considered in study. On the other hand, age, education level, marital
status and family size (household size) are assumed as important demographic factors which
affect rural women‟s economic empowerment.

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 3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1. Description of the Study Areas

The study was conducted in Bita district Kafa zone, Ethiopia. Bita district is found 75 km away
from kafa zone and 540 km away from Addis Ababa the capital city of Ethiopia.

The annual rain fall distribution is characterized as long rain season which covers 9 months. It
receives an annual average rain fall of 1801-2200mm and has an annual average temperature of
21.560c about 71% of agro-ecological zone of the woreda is under highland (Dega). 10.66% mid
land and 18.34% lowland.

Mixed crop-livestock production is principal farm activity carrying out in the study area. The
Major crops grows around this area are cereals such as barley, wheat, and puls such as field peas,
fova bean and chick pea and animal production like cow, sheep and goat production are the
major ones. The total area of woreda is about 15.055m2 and it have the total number sof cattle is
about 14,650 the total population of the woerda is 89720 with nearly equal proportion of male
and female (47.5: 53.5) (BWA RO, 2009).

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Fig: Map of study area

3.2. Research Design and Strategy

The study's strategy is concerned with systematically investigating the Determinants on the
Economic Empowerment of rural women that is independent variables on the dependent one.
Accordingly, so as to reach in to reliable and appropriate concussion, relevant econometric
models are going to be employed for data analysis. Moreover, both qualitative research approach
method so to capture data in regard to local perception and attitude of households toward
Economic empowerment of rural women, as well as quantitative research approach is in order to
analyze quantitative data and other basic information will be employed with cross-sectional
study design to achieve the objective of the study.

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3.3. Sample Size and Sampling techniques

Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the sample. The concept of multistage
sampling since it helps the researcher to overcome related to geographically dispersed population
where it is expensive and time consuming to construct sampling frame for large geographical
area (Saunders et al., 2009). First, the study District i.e. Bita Woreda was selected purposely
because it is the first most populous Woreda of the kafa Zone in SNNPRS of Ethiopia (CSA,
2011). At the Second stage, out of 24 kebeles Two kebeles were randomly selected based on
their respective climate conditions (Agro-Ecological Zones).

According to the CSA Oct 2011 of District there are twelve thousand four hundred eighty
(12,480) household in rural of Bita Woreda with un-divorced wives and within productive age of
18-50. But households of two selected kebeles are 550. Final the researcher was used Yemane
(1967) scientific formula by considering 10% level of error and determined sample size as
follow:
n = N/1 + N (e) 2
Where;
n = Sample Size
N = Total Number of targeted populations
α = level of precision (sampling error) at 10% significance level, margin of error
Level of Confidence is 95 percent; this was chosen because the convenient method reduces the
possibility of non-response drastically.
n = 550/1+ (0.12) *550= 85

So, 85 women were used as representative sample for the study

Table 3.1 Determination of sample size from each stratum by applying formula

Sampling size Population of each Proportion sample size from

stratum each stratum
Yawura 280 43
Tuga, 270 42
Total 550 85
Source: own survey (2022)

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There may be cases where there is only one woman who is up to 18 years and old aged (above 50
years) in the household selected. In cases like this, what the researcher will do is to select another
woman from another household which do not fall into the sample to make up the number
required.

3.4. Methods and sources of data collection

3.4.1. Nature and Source of Data

The nature of data for study was both qualitative and quantitative which can gather from primary
and secondary sources. Accordingly, primary data will be collected from selected sample
individual, households by using relevant data collection tools. Further secondary data is going to
gather from different formal sources.

3.4.1.1. Primary data

The survey was conducted to gather primary data from 10 villages of 10 kebeles in Bita Woreda.
The data will be collected through face-to-face interviews with 306 rural women. Most of the
data required to answer the research questions was collected from primary sources. To get the
required primary data, different methodological approaches such as interviews, focus group
discussion, and field observations will be employed. These techniques were used to collect data
pertinent to the title. A structured questionnaire was administered to generate the required data
for this study. Questionnaires was prepared in English, and necessarily translated into local
language for the purpose of clarity and to facilitate the data collecting process. In addition to this
method, semi structured interviews and Observation was also be used in order to gather
additional information, for cross-checking the opinions given by the clients.
Accordingly, the survey was captured important information related to demographic
characteristics, economic activities and social factors.
The closed ended questions was used to collect the respondents„ background information
covering household demographic and economic variables (e.g., age, marital status, family size,
educational background, household assets of the respondent), and social variables (credit
utilization, participation on community affairs and access to information channels ). Besides, a
wide variety of variables relating the respondent„s condition will be included.

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3.4.1.2. Secondary data
In order to supplement the overall proceedings of the study, information will be collected from
different journals, articles, books, and government documents. The secondary data will also be
used to supplement additional information necessary to substantiate the study.

3.5. Data Analysis Techniques

The analysis will be done by employing the data both descriptive statistics and econometrics
model. The data obtained during the survey will be analyzed using both qualitative and
quantitative data analysis techniques. To simplify the data analysis, after the collection of both
primary and secondary data information respondents, tabulation of qualitative data will be
performed. Qualitatively, information will be gathered from the interviews and observations
analyzed using descriptive analysis. Results will be reported in both tables and a written form.
Frequency and percentage will also be reported. Analysis will be done with the aid of (SPSS
version 16 and STATA version 13. Quantitatively, data will be coded, counted, categorized
into tables and processed to provide frequency table and percentages using the Statistical
Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 16).

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 4. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

4.1. The Result of Descriptive Statistics

4.1.1. Demographic Factors of Economic Empowerment of rural Women

Demographic factors include age, family size, education status and spousal relationship which
can affect economic empowerment of rural women in different ways.

4.1.1.1. Age of the respondents:

Ages of women farmers were one of the demographic characteristics hypothesized to influence
economic empowerment of rural women in agricultural activities. According to Ethiopia
Population Census Commission Report of 2007 age 15-24, 25-34, 35-44 and 45-49 were
classified as very young age, young age, middle age and old age respectively. The results of table
4.1 above show the summary of different age groups. The sample result shows that out of the 85
respondents, 49 of the respondents are young and this makes up most of the respondents were in
active and productive age groups. The rest of the sample population 24 % were found very
young age and 15% were found in age middle age and 12% are found old age

Table 1: Age of respondents

Age Frequency Percentage

15-24 20 24

25-34 42 49

35-44 13 15

45-49 10 12

Total 85 100

Source: Own survey (2024)

17
4.1.1.2. Family size of respondents

Family size is one of the main characteristics of households that determine a household‟s
Economic empowerment in different social and economic activities (Kifleet al. 2013). Large
productive family size in the rural household generates and enhances household income of rural
women and this in turn enables them to be involved in agricultural activities. The descriptive
result in the table 4.2 above shows that, 47% of respondents household have between 4-6 family
sizes. This indicates that relatively most of the households in the study area have large number of
children (family member) to have large family size) and 7-9 family size 8%) of the respondents
have medium member of family size (medium). The remaining 45% of the respondents have below
four family sizes (which is small family member). Contrarily, large family size with small land size
may affect unexpectedly. Consequently, the result above shows that 45% of women have
probability to be economically empowered due to (small) below four family members. This
implies that the Women who make choices about child bearing are most likely to seize economic
opportunity and improve their family welfare. Consequently, they and their family are less likely
to be poor.

Table 2: Family size of respondents

Family members Frequency Percentage

Below four 38 45

4-6 family members 40 47

7-9 members 7 8

Above nine -

Total 85 100

Source: own survey (2024)

4.1.1.3. Educational status household

Education is expected to play an important role in increasing human potential. Education refers
to academic achievement in terms of level achieved in their formal schooling (Stromquist, 2002).

18
 Table 3: Educational status of respondents

Educational status of the respondents Frequency Percentage

Illiterate 14 16
1-4th (1st cycle) 24 28
5-8th Grade( 2nd cycle) 32 38
9-12th Grade 15 18
Diploma and above - -
Total 85 100
Source: own survey (2024)

Accordingly, the data indicated that the level of education obtained by the sample women in the
study area is above Table 4.3. It ranges from illiterate to diploma and above that summarizes the
level of rural women education in the area. Based on the result of the study, 16% of respondents
did not attend any formal education or they are illiterate. 28 % attended 1-4th Grade or 1st cycle
education.38% of respondents reached primary school level or 2nd cycle education and 15% of
respondents have joined highschool/preparatory school. None of the women respondents have
diploma and above. The result indicates that the majority of respondents are not educated up to
higher level due to demographic, economic and social factors.

4.1.2. Economic Factors of rural Women Economic Empowerment

4.1.2.1. Farm size:

The descriptive result in the table 4 above shows that 59% of women respondents have less
than two hectare of farm size. This indicates that relatively most of the households in the study
area have scarcity of farm land and 38% of the respondents have in between two and four
hectare of land. The remaining 3% of the respondents have more than four hectares of land. As
indicated at the chapter three, this implies that there is a serious problem of farm land scarcity
in the study area.

Table 4: Farm size

Farm size Frequency Percentage

Below two hectare 50 59
Between 2-4 hectare 32 38
Above four hectare 2 3
Total 85 100
Source: own survey (2024)

19
4.1.2.2. Non-farm Income
As the table 4.5 above depicts the non-farm income of respondents shows 52.95 percent of rural
women have non/off farm income, but the remaining 47.05 % have not non-farm income. This
shows that even though uncertainties surrounding agricultural production and the inadequacy of
the returns to maintain the household for the entire year, large number of rural households
engage in undertaking diverse activities in seeking additional income from sources other than
agriculture. In this case there is less than half percent of respondents having no income from off-
farm activities. This implies most of rural women rely on agricultural activities alone and none
else.
Table 5:Non-farm income

None farm income

Frequency Percentage
Yes 45 52.95
No 40 47.05
Total 85 100

Source: own survey (2024)

4.1.2.3. Employment and attending on any paid work

Table 6: Employment and/or doing in any paid work

Employment or doing any paid work

Frequency Percentage
Employment/paid work 20 23.53
Not employed/attended any paid work 65 76.47
Total 85 100

Source: own survey (2024)

With regarding to employment and attending on any paid work status of respondents, table 4.6
above depicts that 23.53 percent of rural women are employed/attended on paid work and the
remaining 76.47 percent are not. This implies that more than half percent of respondents were
unemployed and/or not attended in any paid work in the study area. This illustrates that the

20
percentage of unemployed in any paid work respondents is by far greater than that of employed
and paid work attendants in the sample population.

4.1.2.4. Owning property

Table 7: Own property
Own property
Frequency Percent
Have own property 15 17.64
Haven‟t owned any property 70 82.36
Total 85 100.0
Source: own survey (2024)

As table above 4.7.shows, majority of respondents i.e. 82.36% do not have owned property. This
indicates that majority of women haven‟t access to resources in terms of property that affect
them directly. Since they didn‟t own property, inevitably, they have to remain dependent on
husbands to meet their own and family needs. Only 17.64 % of respondents owned property to
have access to resources. Having a right to their property gives women a sort of bargaining
power that they wouldn‟t normally have, in turn, they gain the ability to assert themselves in
various aspects of life, both in and outside of the home. Women access to property shows that
whether women own land or any other property or valuables (Jejeebhoy and Sathar, 2001).

4.1.2.5. Household farm income

Table 8: Household income

Household farm income

Frequency Percent
Below 15,000 ETB 55 64.70
More than 15,000 ETB 30 35.30
TOTAL 85 100
Source: own survey (2024)
In this study, the household farm cash income was estimated based on the sales of agricultural
products. Respondents were asked to tell the average income they are obtaining from different
Agricultural income sources. The average scores for one respondent have a value of Below
15,000 ETB and More than 15,000 ETB. So that the rural women having household farm income
of below 15,000 ETB of the respondents shows only 64.7percent and 35.30 percent of

21
respondents have household income above 15,000 ETB. Obviously more than half percentage of
respondents in the study area have small amount of income.

4.1.3. Social Factors of rural Women Economic Empowerment

4.1.3.1. Credit Utilization

Table 9: Credit Utilization
Credit Utilization
Frequency Percent
Yes 34 40
No 51 60
Total 85 100.0
Source: own survey (2024)

According to Aregu et.al, (2017) women in Ethiopia as well as in the study areas have low
access to economic resources and education. As a result, women participation in the different
economic activities, particularly in self-employment is limited. The major challenge for women
economic empowerment to be self-employed is lack of capital and access to credit as formal
banks require collateral. In order to resolve this problem, in the region, OMO micro finance
institution provides microfinance services to rural women without any collateral requirements.
But according to the above result only 40 percent of respondents indicated that they have access
and utilization and much satisfied with the financial access provided by microfinance and other
lending institutions operating in the region, while 60 percent have no utilization, (Table: 4.9).
This indicates that majority of rural women failed to utilize full range of credit which is essential
to develop their productive assets, land, animal husbandry and other businesses.

4.1.3.2. Extension Services

Table 10: Extension services

Extension Services
Frequency Percent
Yes 38 44.70
No 47 55.30
Total 85 100.0
Source: own survey (2024)

According to Zhera, (2014) Agricultural extension and rural education have been emphasized by
development experts as crucial pathway for rural women empowerment. In Ethiopia, the

22
government has been actively investing in its agricultural extension system in the past 50 years.
But table 4.11 above depicts 55.3 percent of rural women have no any access of extension
services, but only few i.e.44.70 percent of rural women have access of extension services. This
implies that most of the rural women of the study area have no access to extension services. That
is no contact with extension service professionals i.e. development agents.

4.1.3.3. Access to information

Access of information is one of the means by which women farmers can acquire new knowledge
and skill. But, during focus group discussions the group members replied that, access of media is
considered for resource-rich and male farmers for the training program in thinking of those
resource-rich farmers is in a good position to practice the technology which available to them in
the immediate situation after the training is carried out. In addition to this, women farmer‟s
participation in the information access may be constrained by their associated workload in the
family, their reproductive work, and cultural taboo they replied during focus group discussions.

Table 11: Access to information

Access to information
Frequency Percent
Yes 41 48.24
No 44 51.76
Total 85 100.0
Source: own survey (2024)

Access to information i.e. access to radio, TV, printed materials and public meeting were
considered as the important factors to provide agricultural and relevant information.
Consequently, Women having access to information is an important ingredient to enhance their
economic empowerment in rural agricultural activities. This is because; it increases their
interactions and exposure to the external community and interventions as well.

But according to the table: 11.above, 48.24 percent of rural women of the study area have
accesses to information and the remaining 51.76 percent have not. This implies that more than
half women were not accessible for important information.

23
4.1.3.4. Participation on Community Affairs

Women participation in community affairs: The five frequency categories i.e. strongly agree,
agree, no comment, disagree, and strongly disagree are organized for the activities. Then, the
participation of rural women in different community affairs has been measured by rating their
frequencies as Strongly Disagree with value 1, Agree with value 2, No comment with value 3
Disagree with value 4 and Strongly Disagree with value 5. Based on this assumption, the
participation of women in community affairs has been calculated for each respondent and the
mean value is summarized as indicated in the Table: 4.13 it was established that 68.23 % of the
respondents indicated that there were attended and benefits from the participation on the
community affairs, 17.64% said no benefits and disagree with participation of community
affairs, while 4.7 % had no comment of respondents has participation on community affairs.

Table 12: Participation on community affairs

Participation on community affairs

Frequency Percent
Strongly Agree 23 27.05
Agree 35 41.18
No comment 8 9.41
Disagree 15 17.64
Strongly Disagree 4 4.7
Total 85 100
Source: own survey 2022
Participation in community affairs is the different interventions in the society which are very
crucial to exchange information and to increase the exposure of women to the outside
environment. Some of the community affairs in which the women are expected to attain in their
locality include the following different particulars. Those are: public meetings, attending funeral
and wedding ceremonies, visiting or asking women who gave birth, participating in religious
events and festivals, cooperating when houses are constructed and participation in local political
activities are very few among others.

24
5. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1. Summary

 Concerning age of the respondents, the majority (57.73 percent) of the respondents is
young and the rest of the sample population (27.37%) is of middle age and (14.91%) of
old age. This indicates that the majority of the respondents were in active and productive
age groups.
 The finding of the study with regards to education status of respondents showed that the
level of education of the women in the study area showed that, 18.0% of respondents did
not attended formal education, 36.9% could not study beyond 8th grade, 24.4% reached
high school level, 15.7% attended to 11th-12th Grades and 21.5% extends their study to
TVET and college diploma and none of the women respondents have University degree
and above education level. The result indicates that the more than half percentages of
respondents are not educated up to high schools due to demographic, economic and social
factors.
 Concerning the farm size of the respondents, descriptive result showed that 173 (46.88%)
of women respondents have more than three hectare farm size, 130 (35.23%) of the
respondents have in between 1 and three hectare of land and the remaining 17.89% (66)
of the respondents have below one hectare of land.

5.2. Conclusions

Consequently, Investing in rural women‟s economic empowerment in agricultural activities is

crucial for gender equality, poverty eradication, human development and inclusive economic
growth, yet significant gendered inequalities persist globally. Overcoming these inequalities
requires bold, wide-ranging and transformative approaches.

5.2. Recommendations
Based on the above conclusion the following recommendation were recommended

25
 It is better, if the Bita Woreda Women Affairs works on training young females about
economic empowerment and its importance that it has to them in particular and the
society as the whole. Because the study demonstrates the older women have more
economically empowered than the younger one. So that educating and training in the way
they can positively understand about economic empowerment of women may be best
alternative to improve the empowerment of younger generation since the majority of
economic activity was on their hands.
 About the education status of rural women, the study shows there is a positive association
between economic empowerment and education level of respondents, this may be due
fact that education improves the attitudes and self-confidence of women. Hence, to
enhance the economic empowerment of rural women, the society should give priority to
rural daughters in particular and educate rural women as whole in general. The Ministry
of Education and the Ministry of Women & Children‟s Affairs should implement
education programs for rural women more effectively.
 Micro finance institutions of the region, Bita sub-branch should also to work on credit
utilization to facilitate and accessible for rural women as much as possible. This study
find out lack of credit utilization has negative and significant influence on rural women
economic empowerment in the study area. Ensuring the access of loan from financial
institutions enables unemployed women to create their own business activity due credits
extended from financial institutions. The Woreda finance officers collaboration with
political leaders and decision makers should facilitate financial services such as micro-
financial institution access and utilization to disadvantaged rural women to enhance their
ability of generating income to ensure the well-being of their families.
 Additionally, ownership of the property has positive and significant influence on the
economic empowerment of the rural women. This finding supports that accumulating
wealth which belongs to women is very crucial to be economically empowered for rural
women. Hence, women should create wealth by participating in more productive
activities and it is better to have advice and awareness for society to inherit the property
for women from their parents to enhance wealth accumulation in the hands of their own.
 Moreover, as non-farm income and economic empowerment have found to positive and
significant in current study. Accordingly, the Bita Woreda can expand more consistent

26
 and regular non-farm/off-farm activities, training the rural women of the area about job
creation with respective support and increase income from that activity.
 Besides, the woreda in essence make the access to information better as much as possible
by keeping in mind the cost related getting information by the women. Because the result
of this study demonstrated that access to information is positively related to the economic
empowerment. There need to have advice and awareness creation on essence of
information access to rural women.

27
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 Appendix I Questionnaire

WOLLAITA SOD UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY

Determinants of Economic Empowerment of Rural Women in Agricultural Activities: the

case Bita Woreda Kaffa Zone of South western Ethiopia

The questionnaire Used for Collecting Data from Rural Women

Dear respondent
The objective of this questionnaire is to get information needed for the research report to be
produced under the study of “Determinants of economic empowerment of rural women in
agricultural activities: The case of Bita Woreda Kaffa Zone, south western Ethiopia. The
information that you provide is to be used for academic purpose and will be strictly kept
confidential.

You are kindly requested to put a mark (√) in the box for questions where you believe it as
a right answer and to express your agreement or disagreement on the statements

Section one: Demographic Characteristics

1.1. Age of the respondents in Years _________________________
1.2. Family size of the women ______________________________
1.3. Education level of respondents (in years of schooling) _________
1.3.1. If you have been attended to school, what the benefit you got from education?
1. To have awareness of backward outlook towards women
2. Knowledge about the rights and responsibilities
3. Opportunity for employment
4. all
1.3.2. If you haven‟t been attended to school, what did you lack for not being educated?
1. Poor awareness of backward outlook towards women
2. Poor awareness about rights and responsibilities
3. Less opportunity for employment
4. Others specify ______________________________________________

Section II: Economic Situation

31
2.1. How much hectare of land do you have/Farm size? _____________________
2.2. How much money do you earn from your source of household annual income?
_____________________________________________________________
2.2.1. What is your major source of household income (wealth possessing)?
1. Sale of crop 2. Sale of livestock 3. Sale of vegetable
4.Others _______________________________________________________________
2.3. Is there any income from non-farm activities? 1. Yes 0. No
2.3.1. If the answer for the question No 2.3 is yes, in what non-farm activities? (√)
Non-farm Income generating Small Wood Metal Bamboo Clay work Others
Activities scale trade work work work Percent
Yes
Responses No
Total

2.4. Are you employed/ doing any paid work? 1. Yes 0. No

2.4.1. Accordingly what do you think the Contributions of Employment/doing any paid work
for you, if yes for Q 2.4 above? (√)
No. Items Response Frequency
Yes
1 Right to give opinion No
overall income is spent Total
Yes
2 Cash in hand to spend on No
household expenditure Total
Yes
3 Meet the needs of No
yourself and your family Total
Yes
Freedom to buy dress for yourself No
4 and gift for others Total

2.5. Do you personally owned any property or valuables? 1. Yes 0. No

2.5.1. Through what means do you think and owned Property if yes for Q 2.5 above (√)
No. Items Response Frequency
Yes
2 Equal right to use property No
Total
Yes
3 Husband needs wife‟s No
willingness to use property Total
Yes
4 Inherited property from parents No
including land Total

32
 2.5.2. If your answer is No for Q.2.5 above, the effects of Not Owning Property on
Respondents Status end up (√)
Item Dependency on Limited sources of Limited decision
husband income making
Response Yes
No
Tota
l

Section III. Social Situations

3.1. Do you have utilization to credit in your villages? 1. Yes 0. No
3.1.1. What do you think the significance of access/utilization to microcredit (√)
No. Items Response Frequency
Improvement in the Yes
1 standard of living No
Total
Startup fund to invest on Yes
2 income generating activities No
Total
Sources of income to spend Yes
3 on household expenditure No
Total
Meet the needs of yourself Yes
4 and your family No
Total
3.1.2. For what purposes did you use the credit obtained?
1. Purchase of improved seeds 2. Purchase of fertilizer/chemicals
3. Purchase of oxen 4. Buy farm implements
5. Buy food for consumption 6. Livestock rearing
7. Others specify ________________________________________________
3.1.4. if the answer is no for Q no 3.1, the Reasons for Women’s Failure to use microcredit (√)
No Reasons for failure Response Frequency
Yes
1 Lack of information No
Total
Yes
2 Difficulty to get Microcredit No
Total
Yes
3 Lack of interest to get No
Microcredit Total
Yes
4 Prevented to use it No

33
 Total
Yes
5 High Rate of Interest No
Total
3.2. Do you have the extension services benefit/advise delivery? 1. Yes 0. No
3.2.1. Have you any problem to contact extension workers? 1. Yes 0. No
3.2.1.1. If the answer for the question no 3.2.1. is yes, explain
__________________________________________________________________
3.3. Do you have any access to information channels? 1. Yes 0. No
3.3.1. If yes for Q No 3.3, by what? 1. Radio 2. Television
3.News paper
4.Others specify ________________________________________________________
3.3.1. Which program/s do you listen?
1. Agricultural program 2. News 3. Drama
4. Others specify ______________________________________________________
3.3.2. If not listen the program, why?
1.No time to listen 3. Not aware about the program
2.Lack of money to buy battery cells 4.I have no information channel at all
5.Others specify_______________________________________________________
3.4. Have you ever participated community affairs? Point √if you have done.
SDA(1) DA(2) N(3) A(4) SA(5)
i. It is inevitable to participate in community
affairs. i.e. I participate accordingly.
ii. Neutral
iii. It is impossible to participate in any community
affairs, i.e. I have never participated.
3.4.1. If your choice is (i) or (ii), on what activities did you get from community affairs?
1.Crop production 2. Soil and water conservation
3.Livestock production
4.Others specify ________________________________________________________
3.5. How far the Market from your residence (km/hrs.)? _____________________________
3.6. Did you sell market or spend your crop products and livestock on the behalf of your
household? 1. Yes 0. No

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION!!!

34