The Role of Capacity Building Program on Women Socioeconomic Empowerment: The Case of Women Entrepreneurs in Selected Zones in Southern Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Building the capacity of women is an indispensable strategy for enhancing gender equality, and improving the lives of poor women. The main objective of this study was to assess the socio-economic benefit of capacity-building program (CBP) for women entrepreneurs. Employing a two-stage sampling technique, a total of 258 women entrepreneurs were selected from six randomly selected zones in southern region. Quantitative data were collected from women entrepreneurs through Paper Assisted Personal Interview (PAPI) technique. Interview and FGD were conducted with government officials and the selected women. The data were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The quantitative data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics like proportion test, pairwise proportion tests, Cramer’s V, and Somer’s d, while thematic approach was used to analyze and interpret qualitative data. The study revealed that CBP improved the general livelihood of women by bringing about socio-economic improvement.