Main Article Content
Abstract
The study examined empowerment program for women in Abia State: A focus on Abia Primary Schools Lunch Programme (APSLUP) using the (17) local government areas of Abia State. The objectives of the study were to: determine the nature of the relationship between empowerment and ability of women to make and execute decisions in their families, ascertain the nature of the relationship between empowerment and women's influence over their husbands and examine the nature of the relationship between empowerment and women's feeling of enhanced self-esteem. The survey design approach was adopted for this study, Primary and secondary data were extensively used. Primary data were generated by the use of a structured questionnaire which was administered to 2639 respondents, drawn from the beneficiaries of the select local government councils in Abia State. The population of the study comprised of 4339 of the total beneficiaries. The sample size was determined using the Taro Yamane formula, and the proportional allocation formula was used in the distribution of the copies of the questionnaire to the respondents. The statistical tool employed in testing the hypotheses was the Spearman rank correlation coefficient using SPSS version 20. From the statistical analysis of the hypotheses, it was discovered that empowerment has a positive and significant relationship with the ability of women to make and execute decisions in their families. It was also found out that there was no positive and significant relationship between empowerment and women's influence over their husbands. The study further established that empowerment has a positive and significant relationship with the women feeling of enhanced self-esteem. It was, recommended among others that Empowerment need to be encouraged for women engaged in APSLUP since the present study revealed that it has a positive and significant relationship with their feeling of enhanced self-esteem and ability to make and execute decisions in their families..