Alemu Azmeraw (PhD)Ebisa Edosa2024-06-032024-06-032022-06-03https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/3106This study was conducted to identify and evaluate the determinants of membership decision and intensity of participation in the RSCCs and its impact on women empowerment in Arsi Negele, Ethiopia. A mixed research method has been employed to address the research objectives. A multistage sampling method was used to obtain data from 362 households in Arsi Negele Woreda. The binary and ordered logistic regression and the Propensity Score Matching methods were used for the quantitative data analysis. The collected qualitative data were also analyzed by the methods of narration, summary and interpretation. The study revealed that the RSCCs had a positive and significant impact on women empowerment. However, the RSCCs lacked inclusivity as it favored the FHHs, more schooled women, and better off households. Furthermore, trust and perception mattered in enhancing women‟s probability of joining the RSCCs. The study result also showed that the age, schooling years, marital status, family size, duration, group size, and distance significantly determine women‟s intensity of participation in the RSCCs. Therefore, the cooperative promotion agencies and rural development partners should appreciate the identified policy variables determining women‟s membership to ensure the inclusivity of the RSCCs. Moreover, the woreda level cooperative agencies should develop profiles of the members so that the training can particularly target the younger, less schooled, junior members, and women from the large family and land size to strengthen their intensity of participation in the RSCCs.enMembershipIntensity of participationRural Saving and Credit CooperativesWomen EmpowermentThesis