BRIDGING GENDER GAPS THROUGH ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT: EVIDENCE FROM RURAL NIGERIA

Abstract

Women’s economic empowerment is a key development priority in rural Nigeria,driven by persistent household poverty and gender inequalities that restrict women’s access toresources and economic opportunities. Although women significantly contribute to agriculture andthe informal economy, structural and cultural barriers limit their ability to reduce poverty. Thisstudy examined how women in agriculture initiatives, women’s vocational training programmes,and women’s cooperatives contribute to household poverty reduction in rural Nigeria. The analysisis grounded in human capital theory, which emphasizes that investment in education and skillsincreases individual productivity and yields sustained economic benefits for households andsociety. A non-empirical qualitative design was adopted, relying on systematic review and thematicsynthesis of peer reviewed journal articles, books, and policy reports on women’s economicempowerment and rural poverty in Nigeria. The study finds that women in agriculture initiativesimprove household income and food security through increased productivity and market access.Vocational training enhances income diversification and financial autonomy, particularly whencombined with credit and post training support. Women’s cooperatives reduce poverty byimproving access to finance, strengthening social capital, and enhancing women’s decision makingpower. Sustainability is limited by insufficient funding, weak institutional support, and entrenchedpatriarchal norms. Women’s economic empowerment constitutes a viable and evidence-basedpathway to household poverty reduction in rural Nigeria, provided it is supported by enablinginstitutional and socio-economic conditions. Policies should integrate gender responsiveagricultural reform, market oriented vocational training, cooperative strengthening, and legalprotection of women’s economic rights to ensure sustainable poverty reduction.