Women’s Participation Through Cooperatives (A Study of Shree Silinge Agriculture Productive Cooperatives Ltd. Pokhara-26, Kaski)

Abstract

Co-operatives is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned enterprise. It is a means of countering the exploitation of weaker sections by conferring on them a better economic status.Women participation in co-operatives is considered as a major factor for empowerment and gender development in various developing countries including Nepal. So, a study was study conducted in Shree Silinge Agriculture Productive Cooperative limited conducted in the Pokhara Metropolitan city-26. In this study 80 primary shareholder women of the co-operative were selected for survey on the basis of the random sampling and sampling size was determined through Rao soft sampling software at 85% level of confidence. The primary data i.e. Questionnaires, KII, Observations and secondary data were collected through published report, journal, books and other relevant documents were analyzed and interpreted using Microsoft Excel. Result showed that establishment of co-operative in a community is found to impact positively in development of women participation in the social and economic activities. In addition to this, women involved directly in co-operative are likely to have built the leadership and decision making capacity which, ultimately results in prosperity of family, society and nation.Similarly, women participation in co-operatives has shown mutual benefits for individual, family and society. The active involvements of women have developed awareness among them to support, lead and improve the social situation. Co-operative has provided different direct and indirect benefits to the shareholders. In conclusionco-operatives play significant role in leadership’s development among women shareholders and strengthen the decision making process.