Women Participation and Empowerment in the Cooperative Organisations in South Africa

Abstract Development agencies, non-government organisations (NGOs), and government organisations around the world aim to advance women in all spheres of their lives. Cooperatives have been recognised as an imperative mechanism to increase capital initiatives and development within disadvantaged communities. This study examined the role of cooperatives in empowering women to throw some light on how active participation and membership in cooperatives can empower women to improve their skills, social needs, and ambitions to eliminate poverty and create jobs. Survey research was employed in the study. One hundred and ten (110) members responded to a questionnaire to decipher respondents’ perceptions of the level of participation, empowerment, capacitation and perceived benefits. The findings of the study demonstrated that capacitation, empowerment and participation influence change on the benefits of membership in a cooperative as they provide an affirmative impact on development and individual growth. However, the study also revealed that women lack skills and training, sound management, and continuous government support. The study, therefore, recommended continual support from the government and the private sector by providing financial support, training and workshops for women in cooperatives to empower themselves and contribute considerably to job development and poverty reduction in local and regional areas.