The Role Of Women Non-Governmental Organization In Rural Development In Akwa Ibom State
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Women did not provide a fertile ground for academic debate in African societies in terms of their limited role in the past. They were not reckoned with when it comes to activities that could bring about sustainable development. It is also on record that, in traditional African societies, a woman has no say or voice in societal issues and live in a state where they are not supposed to talk. According to Frier (2002), this was a ‘culture of silence’ where men take all decisions affecting women’s folk. As a result of this neglect, African women and their contribution to rural development were not taken seriously. This act has made women in the traditional African societies to have conditioned themselves not to care much about or having an opinion about them.
Furthermore, in most African societies women are regarded as the weaker sex whose duties are to keep the home, raise children and minister to the needs of their husbands and society. The place of women is perceived in this sense to be in the kitchen and their major roles are that of child-bearing.
It has been observed that in Sub-Saharan African societies, women’s participation in development oriented activities is not a novelty. They have been known to be very instrumental in the development of their various communities over the years because they produce more than half of the total food supply. Yet, their roles in the development process are not recognized (James, 2007). In addition, we could see that women’s position and roles were defined mostly through cultural values in traditional societies. But the rise into limelight of a vocal and articulate class of women in the global discourse started with the declaration of the United Nations General Assembly in 1975-1985 as the International Women Decade. The theme of the Decade was equality, development and peace, and the emphasis was on the integration of women into the development process. That Decade fostered on the generation of a new concept of development and women’s involvement in it. It was also agreed upon along that line that women should not just be beneficiaries but participants in the development process and must be fully equipped to do so (Mba in Parpart and Staudt, 2009).
In recognition of this theme, another conference was held in Nairobi which was aimed at assessing the achievements of the decade and to agree on the strategies of implementation and concrete measures to overcome obstacles to the achievements of its goals and objectives. The Nairobi conference concluded that the most significant advances had been made in raising government and public awareness of the existing inequalities and the need to alter the traditional attitudes towards women which keep them in subservient position.
Sequel to the various conventions held in the world, therefore, the issues of women’s participation in rural development had been heightened in Nigeria to the extent that many conferences, workshops, symposia, etc. were held at all levels: international, regional professional, national, etc., to examine the problems involved in ensuring equality of opportunities for women in the development of their societies and countries. This has led to the formation of many non-governmental organizations such as Women in Nigeria (WIN) and Women consortium of Nigeria (WCN) to empower women to contribute to rural development. It is against this background that this study sought to find out the role of women non-governmental organizations in rural development.
The Role Of Women Non-Governmental Organization In Rural Development In Akwa Ibom State
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The declaration of 1975 through 1985 as the Decade for Women has resulted in increased efforts aimed at empowering the women. According to Arum (2010), the aim of women empowerment is to enable them contribute maximally to the general development process. This has led to greater agitation for women liberation and equality with men.
In furtherance of the universal support for women involvement in national affairs, a number of women rights groups and women non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been formed in Nigeria Examples include Country Women Association of Nigeria (COWAN), Women in Nigeria (WIN), Women Research and Documentation Centre (WORDOC), National Association of Women Journalists, Women Consortium in Nigeria (WCN) etc.
Although formed with a view to helping women to contribute their quota to national development in general and rural development in particular, studies have revealed that the huge women resources have not been effectively utilized. Asogwa (2005) observed that women make up almost half of the population, producing about 60% of the food crops and 90% involved in food processing, yet they make a legible impact on rural development.
The problem, according to Bassey and Toyo (2003) is that most women empowerment programnmes such as Better Life of Rural Women and Child Care Trust have been hijacked by the women elite to the neglect of the women masses at the rural communities. The question this study seeks to answer is: do women non-governmental organizations influence rural development in Akwa Ibom State?
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of this study is to examine the role of women NGOs in rural development in Akwa Ibom State. The specific objectives of the study included
a) To examine the influence of women NGOs on the economic development of rural communities in Akwa Ibom State.
b) To assess the influence of women NGOs on the social development of rural communities in Akwa Ibom State.
c) To analyze the influence of women NGOs on the political development of rural communities in Akwa Ibom State.
The Role Of Women Non-Governmental Organization In Rural Development In Akwa Ibom State
1.4 Research Questions
a) Do women NGOs significantly influence the economic development in rural areas in Akwa Ibom State?
b) Do women NGOs significantly influence the social development in rural areas in Akwa Ibom State?
c) Do women NGOs significantly influence the political development in rural areas in Akwa Ibom State?
1.5 Significance of the Study
This study will serve as a means of evaluating the activities and performance of women NGOs in Nigeria. It will provide information on down agencies that have provided assistance to such groups the success or failure of these NGOs. The study will also provide a useful insight to the women NGOs themselves. It will help in determining the scope of the activities as well as design plans to help the groups in future activities. The study will also help to highlight the problems of rural development. This will help the government in designing programmes to meet the developmental needs of the rural areas.
1.6 Limitation of the Study
This study was limited to a survey of the role of women NGOs in Nigeria in rural development in Akwa Ibom State. Due to lack of time and money, the research was restricted to a sample drawn from only six out of the thirty-one Local Government Areas in the state. The study was also hundred by the unwillingness of most of the women who were identified to respond to the questionnaire. This also caused a delay in the study.
1.7 Definition of Terms
- a) Women Empowerment: This involves the transformation of the social, economic, psychology, political and legal capacities of the women to enable them lead an independent life.
- b) Rural Development: The enhancement of the capacities of the grassroots which results in improved standards of living and greater self-actualization.
- c) Poverty: This is the inability of the people to afford basic needs in life such as good, shelter, clothing, education, health care as well as the inability to access the opportunities that condition of deprivation.
- d) Rural Community: This refers to those settlements inhabited by the local or grassroots people. Such areas are basically homogenous and relies heavily on subsistence farming for livelihood.