Explaining the community ecology model of women’s empowerment in sustainable rural development
Abstract
F. Yadollahzadeh, A. Estelaji, N. Fallahtabar
Considering the emphasis on the approach of rural women’s empowerment in development plans during one decade, this study was conducted to measure empowerment evaluating socio-economic factors affecting empowerment of rural women in Shahr Ray and zone of influence. Statistical population consisted of women living in Shahr Ray and sample size obtained to 220 members using Cochrane formula then the required data were collected using stratified-cluster sampling and structured questionnaire. At pretest step, 80 questionnaires were distributed among rural women randomly then logistic regression was employed to evaluate factors affecting ability of rural women based on the Alkire method. Results indicated that the main factors affecting empowerment of rural women were their participation in socio-economic activities that the explained cumulative variance obtained to 55.80 by these factors. Moreover, the main barriers to empowerment of women included lack of job opportunities, low education level, family prejudice, lack of legal supports and communicational network so that these 4 variables could explain 55% of changes in dependent variable (lack of socio-economic capability of women). Ultimately, there was a positive and significant relationship between mentioned variables and barriers to women’s empowerment at confidence level of 99%. Therefore, these barriers should be removed to promote capability of rural women of Shahr Ray in socio-economic activities and planning for their participation.
Keywords: Women’s participation; socio-economic development; entrepreneurship; community ecology model
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