THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUTION

1.1BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

From time immemorial, Nigerian women have played noble roles in the development of their communities. A Nigerian woman is bold and industrious. She is a mother and leader in the family and community. Before the advent of colonial rule and the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914, women have made history in the political and socio-economic levels of their environment.

According to Nnamani and Okpara (2010), the gallantry effort of Queen Amina of Zaria, Moremi of Yoruba land and Queen Owari of Llesha were recorded in history. In Ibo land, many priestesses intervened to avert family and communal conflicts. The advent and influence of colonialism eroded the traditional autonomy of Nigerian women when the Aba women riot of 1929 took place; the riot was staged against the British high-handedness, policies against women and taxations.

Gabriel (1999) described women as the mothers and life blood of the entire humanity, both in the past, present and future. Women are molders of character to the new born babies, the first teachers, sustainers and maintainers of every household.

It was the former president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Gen, Ibrahim Babangida (Rtd) who pointed that women are engines of national development. The thinking in many quarters in the past decade is that the role of Nigerian women starts from the kitchen and ends in the maternity. (Okereke 1999) hence the average Nigerian women specialized to believe and accept the above assertion. The pathetic scenario has undergone visible mutation overtime. This metamorphosis was granted impetus by the growth of national movement and the process of decolonization as national responsibilities. Nigerian women have contributed in many ways to the development of the nation.

However, In Afikpo North Local Government of Ebonyi State, it appears that women in the area have made indelible contributions to the development of rural community that makes up the local government councils in areas as rural electrification projects, pipe borne-water, supports and building of churches, participation in agriculture etc.

Again, the contribution of women to rural community development in Afikpomay not have existed without problems controlling them in their development effort to the community factors as financial incapacitations, violence against women tradition, norms and values etc, may be likely problems facing the contribution of women to the development of Afikpo north local government area. It is on the basis of this that that research study centers on the role of women in the development of Afikpo north local government council.

1.2STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The role of women in the economic, political and social development of a nation and communities cannot be over emphasized. As mothers of our homes and as philanthropic groups, they have played important roles in almost all economic development of the Nigerian society which Afikpo is not an exception.

It seems that there are likely problems as financially incapacitates, gender inequality, violence against women, tradition, norms and values are impending the role of women in any development plan or strategy.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The objectives of this study are as follows:

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study has the basis aim of fulfilling academic requirement, nevertheless it is hoped that it will be of great value to students and scholars in the field of community development, especially those that may wish to carry out further research in the field. It is hoped also that the study will help to minimize the various problems associated with women involvement in community development.

Above all, the finding will serve as a guide and source of encouragement to women in the area of community development. It is further hopedthat the findings will be of assistance to the community development workers attached to local government office in policy making and evaluation towards community development. Lastly, the findings of the research will expose the level and status of women and what they have been able to achieve in terms of community development.

1.5 RESEARCH DESIGN

The following are the research question for the purpose of this study to serve as guide because they provide a starting point for the investigation that will lead to the solution to the research problem. They include:

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The research is limited to the study of the role of women in community development. The study covers Ebonyi State as a whole. However, Afikpo north local government was used as a sample and to represent what would have been the entire community and local government council in Ebonyi State of Nigeria.

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

DEVELOPMENT: Eneh (1999) observed that development is a many sided process which at the level of individual implies increase skill and capacity, greater freedom, creativity, self-discipline and material well-being.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: UNESCO defines community development as the process by which the efforts of the people themselves are limited with those of government authorizes to improve the economic, social and cultural conditions of the communities.

RURAL DEVELOPMENT: Rural development means improving the living standard of the mass of low-income population residing in rural area and making the process of their development self-sustaining. Be developed before any development.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: This includes actual progressive improvement in the quality of life and standard of living of the people. This is very vital for effective planning of development programmes.

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