Women Entrepreneurship and Poverty Reduction in Kimironko and Gisozi Markets in Gasabo District in Rwanda

ABSTRACT This study was carried out to establish the extend to which women entrepreneurship has affected poverty reduction in selected markets of Gasabo district in Rwanda.Specifically,The study wanted to establish the profile of respondents, to determine the level of women entrepreneurship and the level of poverty reduction. The study employed a descriptive correlation design and data was collected from 112 respondents using self administered questionnaires as the key data collection instrument. Data was analyzed at uni-variate level using frequencies counts and summary statistics, and pearson linear correlation coefficient at bi-variate level. The findings revealed that there was a high level of women entrepreneurship with a mean of 2.53 and a high level of poverty reduction with a mean of 2.67 Finally, the findings revealed that women entrepreneurship contributed to poverty reduction in Gasabo district No significant difference was found in the level of women entrepreneurship and poverty reduction in Gasabo district. From the above findings, appropriate conclusions and recommendations including those for further research were made. Recommendations from the study were (I) Government and private sector should put emphasis on women entrepreneurs by advising and training them for a more professional work, increasing the level of loans, given to women entrepreneurs. (II)Government should encourage women entrepreneurs to form coalition and (III) should also work hand in hand with the private sector to let women entrepreneurs access on information which can give them more opportunities in their businesses.