CONTRIBUTION OF RURAL WOMEN EMPOWERMENT PROJECT ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF LOWER INCOME. A CASE OF BRAC INTERNATIONAL RWANDA.

Abstract

The study entitled “The contribution of rural women empowerment projects on socio-economic development of lower income , a case of BRAC International Rwanda (2018-2021)”  is guided   by three specific objectives:  to assess the activities of BRAC International to reduce poverty among women of lower income in Rwamagana District; to analyze socio-economic development indicators of women beneficiaries of BRAC International in Rwamagana District and to find out the effect of activities of BRAC International on socio-economic development among women of lower income in Rwamagana District. The study used descriptive and correlational research design. The sample size of the study is 271 women beneficiaries forming 5 savings groups in Kigabiro Sector, Rwmagana District    and 2 top leaders of BRAC International which include branch manager of BRAC International Rwamagana branch and loan officer. Questionnaire, interview and documentary review was used to collect data and finally the study used descriptive statistics and inferential statistics as method of data analysis. The findings revealed that activities of BRAC offered to its beneficiaries in Rwamagana District was at very high extent in terms of loan services at very high mean score of 4.50. The findings revealed that the level of socio-economic development of women beneficiaries of BRAC in Rwamagana District has been improved in terms of   income of households was at  very high mean equal to 4.58. The results indicate that an increase of one unit in loan services; savings mobilization services; trainings services and promotion of off-farm activities would lead to an increase of β1= 1.156; β₂=0.188; β₃= 0.117 and β₄= 0.358 units in socio-economic development of women beneficiaries of BRAC international Rwanda   in Rwamagana District.