Effect of Women’s Handicrafts Project on Rural Socio-economic Development in Rwanda: Case of Imigongo Handicraft Project in Kirehe District (2016-2020)”

Abstract

In order to drastically reduce extreme poverty and hunger in Rwanda, the government and other development agencies need to develop different strategies. This study made the assumption that handicraft projects if it is fully realized, supported and managed, can become a poverty eradication tool and a means toward socio economic and cultural development. Hence, this study seeks to investigate effect of women’s handicrafts project on rural socio-economic development in Kirehe District. The study was guided by the following specific objectives: to examine the effect of trainings offered by Imigongo handcraft (IH) project on women socio-economic development to its beneficiaries in Kirehe district and to find out the effect of provision of credit offered by IH project on women socio-economic development to its beneficiaries in Kirehe district. The study used descriptive research design and correlational research design. The sample size of the study was 189 beneficiaries of IH project and purposive sapling techniques for selecting 2 employees of IH project. Questionnaire and interview was used to collect data and finally the study used descriptive statistics and inferential statistics as method of data analysis. The results revealed that trainings has significance positive effect on socio-economic development of beneficiaries of IH project as indicated by β1= 0.130, p=0.024<0.05). The findings revealed that provision of credits has significance positive effect on socio-economic development of beneficiaries of IH project as indicated by β2= 0.267, p=0.000<0.05). The study recommends that the management of IH project should increase the length of payment and in order to allow those from poor family to have access to loan.