THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA (A CASE STUDY OF UMUAGWU EJEMEKWURU IN OGUTA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA)
ABSTRACT
This research work intends to bring to limelight, the positive and negative factors that affect or limit the role of women while embarking on ventures in Umuagwu, Ejemekwuru of Oguta local government area in Imo State of Nigeria. The motivation behind the choice of this topic is the recognition of the fact that the role of women towards community development has become a catalyst in the fast pace of development witnessed in so many nations of the world. A sample size of 120 respondents was drawn from the four villages that make up Umuagwu, Ejemekwuru. All of these respondents responded to the study. However, the major research instrument employed in this research study was the interview method which was designed to cover all aspects of the study. The result of this study brings to the fore, the fact that women in Umuagwu, Ejemekwuru play a very colossal role in the community development task of Umuagwu, Ejemekwuru. It also reviewed that they encounter some problems while trying to achieve these roles. Based on the foregoing, the researcher therefore recommended that the government at various levels, financial institutions and other relevant agencies should learn to give a maximum support to the community development projects of women in Umuagwu, Ejemekwuru.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page
Certification – – – – – – – – -i
Dedications – – – – – – – – ii
Acknowledgement – – – – – – – iii
Abstract – – – – – – – – – v
Table of contents – – – – – – – vi-viii
List of tables
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study – – – – 1-4
1.2 Statement of the problem – – – – – 5-6
1.3 Objectives of the study – – – – – 6-7
1.4 Significance of the study – – – – – 7-8
1.5 Research question – – – – – – 9
1.6 Research hypothesis – – – – – – 9-11
1.7 Scope of the study – – – – – – 11
1.8 Limitations of the study – – – – – 11-12
1.9 Definition of terms – – – – – – 12-15
Reference – – – – – – – -15-16
CHAPTER TWO: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK AND LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Theoretical framework – – – – 17-19
2.2 Literature review – – – – – 19
2.2.1 The nature of community development – -19-22
2.2.2 Objectives of community development – -22-25
2.2.3 Major approaches to community development 25-26
2.2.4 Planning in community development – – 26-30
Reference – – – – – – – 31
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research design – – – – – 32
3.2 Area of study – – – – – – 32-33
3.3 Study population – – – – – 33-34
3.4 Sample size determination – – – – 34
3.5 Sampling techniques – – – – – 35
3.6 Method of data collection. – – – – 35-36
3.7 Method of data analysis – – – – 36
3.8 Data collection process – – – – 36
Reference – – – – – – – – 37
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Introduction – – – – – – 38
4.2 Presentation and analysis of data – – – 38
4.2.1 Analysis of personal data of respondents -38-42
4.2.2 Analysis of research questions – – 43-48
4.2.3 Test of hypothesis – – – – 48-54
4.3 Summary and conclusion. – – – – 54
Reference – – – – – – – – 55
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Summary of findings – – – – – 56-58
5.2 Conclusion – – – – – – 59
5.3 Recommendation – – – – – 59-61
References – – – – – – – – 62
Bibliography – – – – – – – 63-67
Appendix – – – – – – – 68
Questionnaire – – – – – – 69-72
LIST OF TABLE
TABLES
- Breakdown of sample
- Sex of the respondents
- Age distribution of respondents
- Martial status of respondents
- Occupational status of respondents
- Educational qualification of respondents
- Responses on membership of any organization
- Responses on the number of women organization
- Names of women organization in Umuagwu community
- Response on whether their objectives are being fulfilled
- Responses on developmental programmes undertaken by the groups
- Responses on the factors hindering community
- Responses on the reasons why people fail to recognize the role of women in Umuagwu community.
- Responses on the developmental programmes women have carried out in Umuagwu community
- The responses on what should be done to eradicate the obstacle that hinders the role of women in Umuagwu community.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Over the years, government has been making several attempts to meet the inelastic needs of communities with their limited resources, but this has not been efficacious. Hence, community development according to Eze. C (1999: 126) is one of the alternative vehicles for the positive transformation of societies. Mere (1982:304) also emphasized that community development is an instrument of social betterment and upliftment of communities. Also, the United Nations in 1956 gave a definition of community development which is now accepted world wide. According to them, it is a “process by which the efforts of the people are united with those of governmental authorities to improve the economic, social and cultural conditions of communities, to integrate these communities into the life of the nation and enable them to contribute fully to the national progress” (Khindula, 1971).
Considering these view points, there is need for assistance from other bodies to supplement the effort of the government to encourage better life pattern for members of the society. It is based on this that women organize themselves in groups for help activities in towns and village. Women are involved in all the stages of community development process beginning from the identification of felt needs, down to execution and evaluation of projects. They carry out enlightenment programs for government policies in tracking their members, the value of family child care and home economics. Most importantly, they assist extension workers to penetrate into the women folk of the community.
Through group efforts, women have tried to introduce the understanding of changes taking place in the society at large and how to cope with the challenges brought about by such changes. They promote religious belief, the care of motherless and abandoned children, the care of destitute, promotion of modern home management, encouragement of education at nursery and primary school level, day care centers, etc. these women could be co-operative, self help groups, welfare groups, church groups, collective and exchange work groups which are geared towards the economic, Social and political development.
The wisdom and determinant quality deposited in the women of Umuagwu community has gone a long way in development project. Just like any other community. Women group in Umuagwu has contributed immensely towards the development of their community. These women embark upon many physical projects like the building of shops and walling of the market, building of maternity, renting of canopies, etc. Infact, the important role they play in the social and economic development of Umuagwu and the society at large, cannot be over emphasized.
As mothers of the home, they play critical roles in education and socialization of the children in teaching new trends of home management, maintenance of the body, environmental cleanliness and as well contributing to the physical development of the society. In any form their services are required; they are always willing to do so. No limit should be placed on what they can collectively constitute to community development because women constitute a powerful social class. However, the attempt by women to come together and work in such groupings has been hindered by several factors. Often times, the role of women in community development in Nigeria is perceived as secondary and most times, very inferior to that of men.
In our society, the factors militating against the role of women in community development, has caused a lot of economic, social and political set backs. At times, the principal obstacle to the role of women in community development in Nigeria are not intentional, they are as a result of unexamined assumptions about women’s cares, interest, unquestioned over a time.
Meanwhile, this study aims at investigating factors that delays and inhibits the role of women in community development in Umuagwu in order to provide solutions to the problems.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The Limited role of women in community development has created a very big problem in our society. These problems have attracted the attention of various governments, writers and every one concerned in enhancing development in Nigeria.
Three decades ago have witnessed hundreds of seminars, conferences and workshops tailored towards the promotion of the role of women in community development in Nigeria. The common practice today has been to mobilize scholars and professionals to present papers that identify the purposes and as well as proffer solutions to the innumerable problems hindering the role of women at all levels without actually investigating those factors.
However, it has recently been recognized that the real gains from such efforts have not been achieved. This is why Olowole (1998) wrote that why most poverty alleviation projects and programs have failed is that the operators are hardly conversant with the thinking and aspirations of Nigerian women. Johnson (1995) also emphasized that no nation can develop by neglecting her women. Women are Nigeria’s greatest asset for stability, economic prosperity, development and unity. Also Okere (2008) recognized that high participation of women in national decision making is one of the indices of development. Thus, the factors hindering the role of women in community development in Nigeria will be investigated and solution will be proposed.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The core objective of this research work is to examine the role of women in community development in Nigeria with a particular attention on Umuagwu in Ejemekwuru.
However, other specific objectives of this study include:
- To increase awareness on the important roles women play in community development in Umuagwu.
- To identify some factors hindering the roles of women in community development in Umuagwu.
- To recommend solutions to the problems of women in community development programs in Umuagwu.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
There is no research work done solely for its own sake but to also contribute to already existing body of knowledge. This work will contribute to women study and their roles in community development in Nigeria. It will also add to already existing knowledge on the subject matter. The study will also provide insight for other researchers who may wish to carry out further studies on the activities of women.
The findings of this study will help the public and government to change both their attitude and perception against women which hinders development in Nigeria, such things like believing that politics is for men would be history. From the study, government and non-governmental organization (NGO) would learn to give their support to the women in their fight for their rights and freedom.
Women will benefit a lot from the findings of this study in the following ways. The study will point out the major areas women suffer neglect; like economically, socially politically, health wise, etc. the research findings will teach, the women organizations to continue in their struggle to over come discriminations against women in terms of employment and job promotion and other aspects of fundamental human rights.
Again, the study will make the society to stop thinking that a part is better than the whole and equally, to stop neglecting their human resources (women) and accordingly, try to include woman in every activity. The study will also bring to focus, the real issues involved in the role of women in community development in Nigeria. This will make the society to work towards eradicating the obstacles that have stood in the ways of women’s role in Nigeria and Umuagwu in particular.
The society will benefit a lot from the findings because the important roles of woman towards community development would be made very obvious.
