Gender Mainstreaming and Financial Growth of Cooperative Enterprise in Rural Communities of Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined gender mainstreaming and financial growth of cooperative enterprises in rural communities of Ekiti State, Nigeria. The study examined two specific objectives; determine the extent to which there is gender parity in decision making among the members and its influence in the profitability growth of cooperative enterprise in rural communities of Ekiti State and also explore the extent to which there is gender parity in the leadership position among the members and its influence in the management of asset of cooperative enterprise in rural communities of Ekiti State. The population of the study is nine hundred and eighty seven while the total sample size is two hundred and eighty two. Data gathered was analysed using inferential statistics and regression analysis was used to achieve the objectives of the study. The findings of the research revealed that decision making at F-Stat. 1461.973, p-value 0.000 < .05 and leadership position at F-Stat. 1548.936, p-value 0.000 < .05 in gender mainstreaming has a significant impact on the profitability and management of asset of cooperative enterprise. The study recommended that there is a need for cooperatives society to constantly review and revise policies to be more gender-sensitive driven. Also, cooperative society should regularly implement training programs that is focused on ethical leadership and the importance of integrity among cooperative leaders.