Knowledge and Attitude of Women Towards Solid Waste Disposal in Jere
Chapter One
AIM OF THE STUDY
This study aims to examine the knowledge and attitude of woman in waste disposal in Jere as a basis for identifying problems and making relevant recommendations.
OBJECIVES OF THE STUDY
- To review gender participation in solid waste management.
- To review the solid waste management policies and programmes in Jere.
- To assess the nature of knowledge and attitude of women in municipal solid waste management in Jere and the
- To identify problems and make recommendation
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
CONCEPTUAL ISSUES
This chapter presents a review on waste collection, separation, transportation, sanitation, disposal, recycling and waste pickers among others in solid waste management together with integrated solid waste and sustainable waste management strategies. The aim is to highlight the major features and issues on waste collection, separation, transportation, sanitation, disposal, recycling and waste picking in solid waste management. Special attention is placed on women participation and sustainable solid waste management.
Gender
The term „gender‟ was first used about 30 years ago to describe the characteristics of men and women which are socially decided in contrast to those characteristics which are biologically defined. Gender refers to women‟s and men‟s socially defined roles and characteristics, which are shaped by historical, economical, religious, cultural and ethnic factors. What is women‟s work in one society might be men‟s in another society. People are born female or male, but learn to be girls and boys who grow into women and men. They are taught what the appropriate behavior and feelings, roles and activities are for them and how they should relate to other people. This learned behavior is what makes up the gender identity and decides the gender roles (International Consortium I.C (2024).
Gender roles for women and men differ a lot from one culture to another and from one social group to another within the same culture. Race, class, economic circumstances, age all of this influence what is considered appropriate for women and men. Culture changes over time and so does gender patterns. Sudden crisis, like war or famine, can totally and quickly change what men and women do. Some times for a short period, but also some times forever.
Also, in relation to human rights, culture and religion we find different roles for men and women determined by the society. Once we realize the difference between biological roles (which cannot be changed) and the gender roles (which can be changed), we are able to look in a new way at our own life and our role in society. Becoming aware of gender roles and understanding its reasons and roots give us a better possibility and choice for changing some gender roles and accepting others (International Consortium I.C (2024).
A Gendered Definition of Waste
It has been stated above that women and men play different roles in society, and that each has a gender-specific combination of roles, shaped by a host of determinants (cultural, economic etc.). Consequently, decisions taken by an individual are the result of balancing the combination of roles and expectations.
The word “waste” refers to something that is “no longer serving a purpose”, something “without value” (The Concise Oxford Dictionary). Obviously, however, certain people in certain circumstances consider waste materials as a resource for their family, their livelihood, or their enterprise. So- called waste materials may serve as a crucial resource within households. For example, oily milk packages may be used as fuel; leftover food may be fed to pigs and goats; discarded cardboard may serve as walls and roofs of houses. If that is the case, one can expect that men and women re-value waste materials differently and see their usefulness for different purposes, such as domestic utility, saving on household expenditures, earning money, or other purposes. In short, there is a gendered definition of “waste” and of “resources”, which must be reflected during any discussion of priorities regarding waste management in the community consultation process (Muller and Schienberg, 1998).
Similar issues are at stake in the field of gender and the rural environment Guijt (1994) adjusted to the urban setting, the key questions are: – What natural and social resources are important in local livelihoods? – Who uses which resources? – Who controls decisions about how resources are used? – Who is helping to sustain local resources and who benefits from this? – How is the situation changing? Answers to these questions must be sought through participatory research in the very beginning of waste management projects.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
METHODOLOGY
This section discusses the various methods that were employed in generating data for the study. It focuses on the types of data needed, the sources of data, the sampling design, and the methods of data analysis. Reconnaissance survey was conducted to generate information on the following: the main data collected included solid waste management activities, means of conveying solid waste materials, SWM union or organization among others in the study area.
Data Required and Sources
To achieve the objectives of the study, the types of data required and used are listed in table 3.2 and were sourced through two main sources: Primary and secondary sources.
Primary Data
The primary data will be sourced from field surveys using questionnaires and field observation. Questionnaires were administered to women participating in solid waste management. Interviews were also carried out with staff of the various establishments or agencies responsible for solid waste management within the study area.
Secondary Data
The secondary sources of data were sourced from existing empirical studies on solid waste management, data, maps, records, published and unpublished literally material such as articles, journals, seminar papers, thesis, and government report on solid waste, gazettes, and internet sources and other necessary information from the ministry of environment and Bornu state urban and regional planning development authority.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
INTRODUCTION
Women involvement in waste picking among other solid waste management activities is diverse and will be interesting to know them. In addition, means of conveying solid waste materials collected; level of women participation in solid waste management; extent of waste sorting among households; average income generated from waste by solid waste participants; various benefits derived from solid waste activities; waste management enterprises and job creation; health implications as a result of solid waste among others. Detailed discussion on women participation in solid waste management was made. Based on the analysis, wealth creation in both cash/kind and a reduction in the quantity of solid waste on the environment were identified.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION
INTRODUCTION
This chapter provides a summary of findings of the research and makes recommendations that, if implemented, would promote women participation in every facet of solid waste management for growth and development in order to eradicate poverty among other challenges in Jere.
SUMMARY
A total of 328 women participants in waste picking and how to incorporate them in solid waste management were identified in the six districts covered in Jere. Cluster and purposive sampling techniques which were appropriate in their strength in identifying unique and informative cases in a network of difficulty to find populations were employed in selecting respondents for questionnaire survey and interview.
The study established that majority of the women engaged in solid waste management activities within the six districts of Jere were less than 45 years old. The implication is that the trade is more attractive to mostly the very active age groups. As noted, majority of the people involved in solid waste picking among other waste activities, as indicated by the survey results were married with 53.7% and were mostly of Hausa/Fulani ethnic composition with 60.4%. Scrap metal and farmyard manure, are the major materials that attract solid waste entrepreneurs in Jere.
Solid waste activities terms of transportation include women waste actors that pay individuals especially the male to convey waste valuables (metal scraps, farmyard manure etc.) compared to collection of usable materials mostly from single sourcing, however, household sweep which is a common domestic chore and disposal mostly on unauthorized dump site/landfill attracted some of the participants while separation wasn‟t encouraging; this situation indicates that most of the inhabitants in the study area don‟t separate their waste before disposal. These activities are carried out mostly every day and it covers all categories (separation, collection, transportation, disposal and household sweep) except for women engaged in composting for supply to both dry and rainy season farmers carry‟s out such on weekly and monthly basis. Field investigation revealed that the respondents hardly participate in multiple solid waste management activities, notable utilization include a relatively high proportion (35.4%) of women involved in house to house waste collection, while about 25.3% of the respondents centred on market level. Other levels are office and home. Also none of them were involved in recycling thus will affect greater income.
The study notes that waste materials are mostly conveyed using locally made cart (Kura) and only a few are conveyed with car for disposal to end users. Women participants surveyed expressed that most of the solid waste materials are utilized locally throughout the study area. There are variations in both quantity of waste materials and participation between Tudun wada, Sabon gari, Mabera, Dundaye district and Birni, G. R. A district. The latter districts were characterized with low quantity of solid waste and involvement than the former. Generally, large quantity of solid waste and greater participation are usually during functions like meetings, weddings, picnics among others at every level of participation also when salaries are paid.
Field survey disclosed reasons for not participating in waste sorting to include no need sorting waste; financial problem and lack of waste receptacles among other equipments. Interestingly, some of the respondents were in one way or the other satisfied with solid waste business they claimed that they derived benefits like family support; multiple source of income; earning a living/self sustenance; employer of labor among others. Although the average monthly income generated especially among some of the actors from scrap metal/bottles and farmyard manure (compost) collection was discovered to be above N6, 000 which is more than the salaries paid to some workers even civil servants (minimum wage of N 18, 000 per month) as their take home in the study area. The field survey further notes that about five (5) women earn up to about N90, 000 in a month. This is a clear indication that income generated as a result of waste activity can basically be adequate to complement other source(s), eradicate poverty and generate employment for some if not all age categories in the study area.
In Jere it was clearly seen from the responses that the government has not in any way recognized women participation in solid waste management through the provision of waste receptacles, trucks, protectors, functioning recycling plants etc. From this analysis, as high as 84.8% of sampled solid waste participants in the study area claimed that the government never came to their aid. In addition, some of the major challenges faced by solid waste entrepreneurs are categorized into: fluctuation in prices of waste valuables; high cost of transportation; inadequate labor force; poor or absence of union leaders. With respect to public view on solid waste collectors; greater percentage of about 46.6% of the respondents said they view solid waste collectors as derogatory in contrast to about 5.5% of the respondents who see‟s waste pickers as dignified/sensible individuals. In the words of some of the, respondents “the people that are derogatory/illiterate were those not involved in solid waste picking business”.
The study portrays that health implications as regards waste management disclosed by the respondents comprise threat like breeding ground for mosquitoes and other disease vectors; cholera; diarrhea; bad odor.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The study revealed the characteristics of waste activities (scrap metal and bottles/composting) as waste management strategy as well as the benefits of sustainable waste management in Jere. Based on such findings, recommendations were developed to promote scrap metal and bottles composting among other waste activity situation in Jere.
Specific Recommendations
General public oriented and more encompassing approach in empowering the capacity of the unemployed to make choices for their wellbeing should be the bone of contention. Within the solid waste management framework, there should be a joint effort amongst all actors such as municipal solid waste management agencies, waste management entrepreneurs, government agencies such as the ministries of labour, trade and state security to dialogue and design policies and regulations that will address issues of farmyard manure scrap metal and bottle price, price instability, regulation in the cost of conveying waste valuables from one point to the other, providing adequate receptacles among other equipments and also make provision for a functional recycling plant in Bornu and its environs. This will greatly ease their (actors) activities and thus improve their income. Here, both Government and non-governmental organizations should take the leading role in the formulation and implementation of multi-dimensional policies and the empowerment of the jobless so that their development in terms of capacity building will sustainably be achieved.
Some forms of participation need to be employed regardless of management tools (MSEs, district committees, etc.). Women in particular, within Jere should spontaneously take initiatives for clean-up activities, picking of recyclable wastes, health care and sanitary awareness that are not carried out in any formal structural framework. On the other hand, there is need to enlighten and encourage some micro and small scale enterprises to actually start their own preliminary refuse collection.
Since several states in Nigeria are coming up with various means of waste collection initiated by both public and private sectors, Bornu and its environs should not be left out; although the effectiveness of this is largely a function of location; and where the collection is done by private sectors, it is a function of income of the owner of the waste to be able to pay the amount charged. Willingness to pay for waste management services or facilities is very important to the success of the private sectors‟ participation (PSP) in (SWM) program. The willingness to or not to pay could have direct impact (positive or negative) on the reliability and success of any solid waste management strategy.
It is a known fact that people’s attitude thus influences the effective demand for waste collection services. Attitudes may be positively influenced through awareness building campaigns and education about the negative aspects of inadequate waste collection with regard to public health and environmental conditions, and the value of effective disposal. Such campaigns also should inform people of their responsibility as waste generators and of their rights as citizens to adequate solid waste management services.
It was clearly seen from the finding 84.8% of non organised hand pickers and 15.2% of organised hand picking activities formal sector. This formulating a more functional union leaders that will take their plea to appropriate government authorities which will in turn bring about better organization of the sector. Hence making if more attractive and creating ample opportunity for the unemployed in Bornu.
The non-governmental organization (NGO’s) can also be involved by giving them a further boost and in turn achievable through the provision of a sound and appropriate public enlightenment. The equipments and educational programmes that are captivating the benefits derived as a result of solid waste management activities in order to counter the negative perception majority of the respondents perceived about the business.
Also, there is need to actually strengthen the existing few organized private sectors e.g. Mebera Women Association of Solid Waste Management, Arewa Cleaners etc and still encourage and support other women waste participants to establish more waste association/institutions. On the other hand, Government institutions should also employ a greater number of women both within and outside her institutions so that they can be engaged in solid waste management in order to earn a living.
Lack of greater diversification and multiple source utilization of waste valuables was observed from the results of the field work, that some of the respondents were restricted to single sourcing of waste valuables, waste activity and also not diversifying into other activities outside waste. Diversification and multiple source utilization of waste materials if encouraged will be a sure means of high income generation and promote more employment opportunities.
It is recommended that the operational policies adopted by United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) (2024) be implemented and it is highlighted below:
Environmental management in Nigeria is hinged on the 1989 National Policy on the Environment as revised in 1998, as well as a set of laws, regulations and guidelines to ensure the conservation of natural resources and the protection of the environment and human health. The goal of the National Policy on the Environment of the Nigerian Government is to achieve sustainable development in Nigeria. The purposes are to secure for all Nigerians a quality of environment adequate for their health and well being; restore, maintain and enhance the ecosystems and ecological processes essential for the functioning of the biosphere to preserve biological diversity and the principle of optimum sustainable yield in the use of these natural resources and ecosystems; raise public awareness and promote understanding of essential linkages between environmental and development and to encourage individual and community participation in environmental improvement efforts; and cooperate in good faith with other countries, international organizations/agencies to achieve optimal use of trans-boundary natural resources and effective prevention of trans-boundary environmental pollution (UNIDO, 2024).
The Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) Act is the major legal framework on environment in Nigeria. At the return to democratic governance in 1999, FEPA metamorphosed into the Federal Ministry of Environment in June 1999. Since a ministry is more of a policy-making organ, the Federal Government established in November 2006 the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) with powers similar to the defunct FEPA for effective enforcement of environmental regulations in the country. All FEPA‟s laws have been repealed with the NESREA act signed into laws by the President of Nigeria in July 2007. The federal laws are the minimum standards in the states. The Constitution allows states to establish stricter standards than the Federal and also impose stiffer penalties on violators (UNIDO, 2024).
Nigeria has various Ministries, Agencies and Departments (MDAs) involved directly or indirectly with environmental issues. These include Federal Ministry of Environment, State Environmental Protection Agency, State Ministry of Environment, various Local Government and Area Councils and NESREA. The local government authorities are given the responsibility of municipal solid waste management by law, however due to inefficiency hence the intervention in waste management activities by various States environmental protection board/agency.
The National Environmental Protection (Pollution Abatement in Industries and Facilities Generating Wastes) Regulations S.I.9 of 1991 imposes restrictions on the release of toxic substances and stipulates requirements for monitoring of pollution; it also makes it mandatory for existing industries and facilities to conduct an environmental audit. The National Environmental Protection (Waste Management) Regulations S.I.15 of 1991 regulates the collection, treatment and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes from municipal and industrial source. The National Guidelines and Standards for Environmental Pollution Control in Nigeria 1991 provide the basic instrument for monitoring and controlling industrial and urban pollution in Nigeria (UNIDO, 2024).
Recommendations for further research are as follows:
- Gender disparity and its implications among waste management actors in Bornu, Nigeria.
- The effectiveness of government agencies and private companies in waste management in Bornu,
CONCLUSION
By employing waste activities like scrap metal/bottle collection and composting as a potential means of eradicating poverty, creating job opportunities, greater environmental sustainability among other benefits. Both the Government and NGOs should take positive steps in the right direction from policies and programmes formulation and implementations on solid waste management, price instability both in waste valuables and transportation, functional recycling plants, an appropriate public awareness campaign and educational programmes that are captivating etc. as regards the various benefits derived as a result of solid waste management activities will go a long way in motivating and curbing the negative perception on the activity which will in turn attract more individuals into the business and realizing adequate income enough to meet the living conditions of citizenry especially waste workers in the study area.
Lastly, from the research findings gathered; transforming the few existing informal women waste activities and establishing new ones by individual waste actors that are also more organized will be attracted by the Government of Bornu to actually see the need for such sector to be integrated into the formal solid waste system of the state.
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