The Impact of Female Education on the Socioeconomic Wellbeing of Rural Women in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Keywords:
Female Education, Socioeconomic Wellbeing, Rural Women, Empowerment, Akwa Ibom StateAbstract
This study investigated the impact of female education on the socioeconomic well-being of rural women in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The socioeconomic status of rural women in Nigeria is recognized as a key determinant of community development and national progress. The specific aim was to evaluate how educational attainment influences income levels, employment opportunities, access to resources, and decision-making capacities among rural women. A descriptive survey design was employed to collect data from 500 rural women across five local government areas (LGAs) using structured questionnaires and a stratified random sampling technique to ensure adequate representation of rural women across selected Local Government Areas (LGAs); Etinan, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ini, Oruk Anam and Uruan local government areas in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Stratified random sampling was considered appropriate because the population of rural women in the study area is heterogeneous in terms of geographic location, socioeconomic status, and educational attainment. By dividing the population into homogeneous subgroups (strata), the technique improves precision and reduces sampling bias. Analyses included descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation and regression). Findings revealed that higher levels of education significantly enhance women’s income, employment prospects, participation in community decision-making, and access to socioeconomic resources. The study recommends targeted policies to improve female access to education in rural areas.Downloads
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