Women barriers and empowerment opportunities in the Nigerian context

This study examines women barriers and empowerment opportunities in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. The study design was exploratory using quantitative and qualitative data. Data is obtained from 660 women from Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State. The research used a multi-stage sampling technique. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentages and frequency tables, while the Chi-square was used to test the significance of relationship between the two hypotheses stated. The findings of the study revealed that 58.3% of the respondents' report that they were aware of the availability of women empowerment programmes in their community. While, 31.9% of the respondents reported the provision of agricultural facilities as the widely available empowerment programme for women, 38.4% indicated that non-governmental organizations were the major benefactors of women empowerment programmes. The findings of the study further showed that 39.5% of the respondents acknowledged that they had benefitted from women empowerment programmes. Equality for all can be achieved when women are allowed to make their own decisions on issues that concern them and act on those opportunities without fear. © Universiti Putra Malaysia Press