Challenges of Women Involved in Aquacultural Activities (a Case Study of Otuocha, Anambra East Local Government Area Anambra State)
Chapter One
OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
The general objective is to evaluate the challenges of women in aquacultural activities in the study area. The specific objectives include to:
- Determine the socio-economic characteristics of the women involved in aquacultural activities in the study area.
- Highlight the roles and potentials of women across small-scale fisheries and aquaculture development in the study area.
- Identify the strengths and the opportunities available for the women fisherfolks to counteract their weaknesses and threats limiting their efficiency and potentials in the study area.
- Proffer appropriate recommendations to overcome the challenges.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Potentials of Women in Aquaculture
In most rural communities, there are essential differences between the economic, social and political roles of men and women. This also holds true for fishing communities. While the nature as well as the dimension of these responsibilities may differ from country to country and from community to community, a number of basic features can be identified. Fisheries activities are commonly perceived as men’s work. This is also a common phenomenon. However, while there exist difficulties of different magnitude for women to be fully involved in fisheries, there are also vast potentials for women to contribute meaningfully in the fisheries sector. Involvement of women in all development initiatives including agriculture is seen as a priority in the national development paradigm. Traditionally, women have played a major role in agriculture. However, studies on various development endeavors have also endorsed the fact that while female members of farm-based households are playing a significant role in agricultural farm and household activities, their work loads have been consistently higher than that of the male members. Rural women are involved in different household activities like cooking, food preparation, child-rearing, livestock and poultry-raising, and household gardening, which are essential for household maintenance. They are also engaged in post-harvest activities, which includes rice processing (that is, boiling, drying and husking of paddy). The male members of agricultural households are involved in field activities while the female members undertake tasks like seeds preservation, and drying and boiling of paddy. Although all these are essential for the existence of each rural household, they are not awarded any form of recognition as these types of work do not directly generate money. Rather, in most cases, women are treated as dependents despite the fact that they play a substantial role in household agricultural activities. Research studies show that besides their regular household work, 43% of women are involved in activities related to agriculture, and almost 15% undertake agriculture as their second occupation. While fishing too is perceived to be a full-time occupation of men, the involvement of women is just as significant. Together with their male counterparts, women are engaged in activities like making fishing nets, gears, repairing or maintaining the gears, sorting of fingerlings, fish processing, transportation and marketing. However, as time progresses, this complementary role of women is changing and women’s involvement in these activities is becoming a full-time occupation.
Constraints Women Face in Aquaculture-Related Activities
Socially, a woman in Bangladesh enjoys lesser importance than her male counterpart. A Bangladeshi woman’s most important recognized role is that of a housewife. From childhood, a girl is trained to be a wife and a mother. Generally, this term refers to those who do not engage in economic activities.
Although women’s contribution is well recognized in agriculture-related activities, their contribution in economic activities remains unvalued due to patriarchal and traditional norms. Reduction or eradication of these constraints could lead to increased productivity, resulting in an enhanced economic welfare, particularly for rural poor families.
The following are some of the major constraints:
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine challenges of women involved in aquacultural activities. Otuocha, Anambra East local government form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain challenges of women involved in aquacultural activities. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of challenges of women involved in aquacultural activities
Summary
This study was on challenges of women involved in aquacultural activities. Three objectives were raised which included: Determine the socio-economic characteristics of the women involved in aquacultural activities in the study area, Highlight the roles and potentials of women across small-scale fisheries and aquaculture development in the study area, Identify the strengths and the opportunities available for the women fisherfolks to counteract their weaknesses and threats limiting their efficiency and potentials in the study area and Proffer appropriate recommendations to overcome the challenges. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from Otuocha, Anambra East Local Government Area Anambra State. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
In conclusion, fishery and aquaculture can play a key role in the contribution of women to the rural economy, rural development of Kano state, and provide an extra income for their families. Women can be trained for small scale enterprises such as micro algae and ornamental fish production to provide additional income for the family. The effectiveness of fisheries and aquaculture should be increased to elevate women’s economic liberty and family income. New financial instruments should be developed and promoted to increase the contribution of women to the sector.
Recommendation
It is therefore, recommendded that there should be availability of loan by financial institutions to enable women acquire needed facilities. Awareness should be created on gender equality issues affecting the activities of the women in fisheries in Otuocha. There should be periodic training and workshop for the women fisher folks, there should be formation and strengthening of women’s organizations on professionalization of both harvest and post-harvest activities. Women should be involved in decision making in all aspects of fish value chain processes.
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