The Role of Agricultural Cooperatives on Social Empowerment of Rural Women in Tehran Province

This study was conducted to investigate the role of agricultural cooperatives on social empowerment of rural women in Tehran Province. Population consisted of all women members of agricultural cooperatives in Tehran Province (N=150). The sample size was estimated by Krejcie and Morgan’s Table (n=108) which finally 118 questionnaires were collected and analyzed. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire. Validity was confirmed by a panel of experts consisting of faculty members at Tarbiat Modares University and specialists of Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Cooperative. A pilot test was implemented and the reliability gained was (α= 0.78). The results showed that there was a significant difference between social ability of women, before and after membership in cooperatives. Also, result of regression analysis indicated that four variables consisted of the number of years served as a member of cooperatives, income, education and ownership of land could explain 34.2 percent of social empowerment.