ASSESSEMENT OF WOMEN SAVINGS AND CREDIT COOPERATIVE SERVICES IN ZUWAY DUGDA DISTRICT, SOUTH - EAST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

This is an MSW thesis on Assessment Women Savings and Credit Cooperative Services in Zuway Dugda District, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. The general objective was to assess socio-economic contributions of Savings and Credit Cooperatives to improve rural poor women’s living conditions and their socio-economic and political empowerment and suggest credible recommendations on how the savings and credit services delivered have brought change in economic, human and social capital assets. The specific objectives of the study included to assess the role of Savings and Credit Cooperatives Services in poverty reduction through economic and social development and employment creation; to examine the contributions of the Savings and Credit Cooperative Services improving of income, expenditure, shelter, household assets, food access, education and healthcare services and to assess the improvement of decision making power of members at family and community levels. The researcher employed quantitative and qualitative research approaches and methods to collect the pertinent primary and secondary data from respective sources. Universe of the study comprised of 527 women in those rural villages of the District and sample size was 70 women in the Cooperatives. The study found out that poor women in the study area have shown exemplary role in fighting poverty through organizing themselves and pooling their meager resources in improving their living and working conditions. The study revealed the importance of cooperative services for the well-being of members, their families and their community.