VULNERABILITY INDICATORS AND TRAINING MITIGATORS FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF RURAL WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Despite global efforts to alleviate poverty, rural women remain disproportionately vulnerable due to systemic challenges, limited access to resources, and socio-economic barriers. This study investigated poverty vulnerability indicators and training mitigating imperatives for the sustainable economic empowerment of rural women in the Womi/Ayaki ward of Moro Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria. This research identified key indicators of poverty vulnerability, including inadequate housing, poor nutrition, and limited access to education and healthcare. It emphasized the need for targeted interventions such as skill acquisition training and cooperative society initiatives to enhance the economic capacity of these women. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study examined poverty vulnerability indicators. The study aim to provide actionable insights for policymakers and development agencies, highlighting the significance of tailored interventions that address the unique challenges faced by rural women in the Womi/Ayaki ward. Among the findings is that rural women in Womi/Ayaki perceive several significant barriers to their sustainable economic empowerment, which underscore the complexities faced by rural women in achieving sustainable economic empowerment. Based on the findings from the data analysed, it was concluded that the critical poverty vulnerability indicators impacting rural women in the Womi/Ayaki ward, include barriers such as limited access to education, healthcare, and financial resources that perpetuate cycles of poverty. Based on the conclusion, it was recommended among others that Ministry of Commerce and Industry should establish a comprehensive data collection system to continuously monitor and assess poverty vulnerability indicators specific to rural women in the Womi/Ayaki ward, enabling targeted interventions based on real-time data