Influence of Rural Women's Entrepreneurship Capabilities on their Empowerment: A Case Study in Kermanshah Province

Women need empowerment with an entrepreneurial approach to achieve success in economic Activities.This descriptive-correlational research was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of rural women's entrepreneurial abilities on their empowerment level. The statistical population was rural women, housewives and heads of households in Kermanshah Province (N=221,358). Sample members (n=354) were selected by multi-stage random sampling method. The research tool was a questionnaire with three parts including individual characteristics, the degree of empowerment with three dimensions of economic, social, and leadership, and entrepreneurial capabilities with four dimensions of independence, innovation, risk-taking and transactional acting. Validity and reliability of the instrument were confirmed by convergent validity, Cronbach's alpha coefficient and composite reliability. Based on the results, rural women were moderately capable in both economic and social dimensions and they had the desired ability in the leadership dimension. In terms of entrepreneurial ability, they were very weak in the innovation dimension, almost weak in the transactional dimension, and average in the independence and risk-taking dimensions. Entrepreneurial capabilities have had a significant positive effect on empowerment. Based on the results, extension programs should be developed to expand entrepreneurial activities for rural women.