The impact of functional adult literacy on women economic empowernment the case of Limu Seqa Woreda, Jimma zone

The study evaluated the role and contribution of Functional Adult Literacy (FAL) for women economic empowerment through assessing its impact on women's access to and control over assets, increased women participation in decision making process at household level, improvement of women's culture on saving and credit management and women's ability to enhance their income and income generating activities in the study areas of five kebeles of Limmu Seqa Woreda in Jimma zone of Oromia region. Data was collected form a total of 210 F'Al=program member and 189 non-members in Limmu Seqa wereda. Non-members were selected from non-program kebeles. In the study both primary and secondary sources of data have been used. Questionnaire and Focus group discussions were the main tools of data collection. Descriptive statistics, econometric analysis and thematic analysis were carried out to accomplish the above-mentioned tasks. The results of the study indicated that the F'Al.-program has a positive impact on women's economic empowerment as measured by the increased participation of women in household decision-making, and improvement in living conditions of its members. Compared to the nonmembers, F'Al-rnembers have improved their household incomes, asset possession levels, and savings and credit habit. The maximum likely hood logit model revealed that being member of FAL program, asset ownership, and existence of personal saving, being head of the household and participating in community based organizations are significantly and positively related to women's control over decision making on their economic resources and opportunities. Whereas, educational status, age of respondents and household size are found to be statistically insignificant in determining women's control over decision making on their economic resources and opportunities. The policy implication of this study is that, Functional Adult literacy is a forum for empowering women to build strong groups of diligent and committed women. It should therefore be encouraged and reinforced by a favourable policy framework that will create an enabling environment in which women will contribute to the economic growth of the nation.Jimma Universit