The study assessed the role of female entrepreneurs in poverty alleviation in rural communities of Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria.  It specifically analysed the socio-economic characteristics of women entrepreneurship and assessed the contribution of female-owned businesses to poverty alleviation in the study area. The main reason for this study was due to the fact that most studies on the relationship between businesses development and poverty alleviation have concentrated on aggregate effects of small businesses on poverty reduction with little attention on   gender issue in rural areas. The study employed primary data. The target population was all the women-owned enterprises from eight communities in Awka South Local Government Area in Anambra State of Nigeria. Data were collected from primary source, using questionnaire on a sample of 205 female-0wned   enterprises. Responses of the respondents were analysed using percentages and the chi-square tests were carried out to support the analysis. The study therefore concluded that   female-owned microenterprises have played key role in poverty alleviation   among the businesses’ owners in Awka Division through income generation and job creation.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
APPROVAL                                        I
CERTIFICATION                                    ii
Dedication                                        iii
Acknowledgement                                    iv
Outline page                                        v
Abstract                                        1
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study                                2
1.2 Statement of the Research Problem                         2
1.3  Research Questions                                3
1.4  Objectives of the study                                3
1.5 limitation of the Study                                4
1.6 Statement of the Research Hypothesis                        4
1.7 Definitions of Terms                                4

CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Theoretical Issues on SMEs                             7
2.2 Conceptual Review of the Study
2.3 Empirical Review                                    14
2.4 Concept of Poverty                                 16
2.5 Theoretical Framework                                 18
2.6 Previous Empirical Studies on the Relationship between SMEs and   Poverty   19   
       Alleviation
2.7 Alleviating Poverty through Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Micro,     20
 2.8 Alleviating Poverty through Women Entrepreneurship                21
 2.9 Women as Entrepreneur                                  22
2.10 Gap in knowledge                                  23

CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
3.1 Study Area                                                    25                    
 3.2 Research Design                                    25
3.3 Population Of The Study                                25
3.4 sample size                                    26
3.5 Methods of Data Collection                            26
3.6   Analytical Technique                                27
3.7 Source Of Data                                    28

CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA
4.1 Socio-Economic Profile Of Respondent                        29
4.1.1 Age Distribution Of The Respondent                        29
4.1.2 Educational Qualification                            29
4.2  Nature and Type of SMEs Businesses in Awka south Area in Anambra State   29
4.2.1 Nature of Business                                 31
4.2.2 The size of Business                                 32
4.2.3   Ownership Structure
4.2.4 Year of operation                                34
4.3   Assessment of Income and Employment generating capacity of   SMEs          35
4.3.1  Income Generation                                35
4.4 Impact of SMEs on Living Conditions of  Owners                35
4.4.1 Income Level                                    36
4.4.2   Toilet Facility                                     36
4.4.3  Sources of Water                                37
4.4.4  Sources of Energy for Cooking                         37
4.4.5   Access to Medical Care                            37
4.4.6   Sources of Electricity/Power Supply                        38
4.4.7   Affordable and Adequate Meal per Day                    38
4.4.8  SME’s increase employment                            39

CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMRARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Summary of the Findings.                                42
5.2 Conclusion                                    42
5.3 Recommendations                                    43
            REFERENCES                                    44
        APPENDIX                                    48