Assessment of the Extent of Utilization of Effective Strategies for Mobilizing Rural Women for Community Development
CHAPTER ONE
Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of the study is to assess the extent of utilization of effective strategies for mobilizing rural women for community development. Specifically, the study seeks to find out:
- The extent of utilization of communication strategy for mobilization of rural women for community development.
- The extent of utilization of women associations for mobilization of rural women for community development.
- The extent of utilization of functional literacy education for mobilization of rural women for community development.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEWED OF RELATED LITERATURE
Community Development
According to Obi (1997), community development is defined as socio-economic changes involving the transformation of agrarian society in order to reach a common set of development goals based on the capabilities and needs of the people. World Bank (1975) contends that community development is a process through which rural poverty is alleviated by sustained increase in the productivity and incomes of low rural workers and households. Njoku (1995) argues that community development is the process whereby cultural, political and educational motivation of rural dwellers enables them to rationally exploit and harness the resources of their environment for the social and economic well being of the society. Batten (1986), in his book, “communities and their development as a process” stressed that community development is possible only when the people in the community first thoroughly discuss and define their wants and then plan together to satisfy them. UNESCO defines community development as the process by which the efforts of the people are united with the government to improve the economic, social, and cultural conditions of communities. Community development in simple terms is the process of improving the quality of human lives. It involves the sustained elevation of the entire community and social system towards a better human life. Gulet (1971) identified three important aspect of community development as: (i) Raising people’s living standard – income and consumption levels, access to medical services, education, safe drinking water etc. through relevant economic growth process. 14 (ii) Creating condition conducive for the growth of people’s self esteem through the establishment of social institutions that promote human dignity and respect. (iii) Increasing people’s freedom by enlarging the range of the choices as by increasing varieties of consumer goods and services. Dundley (1987) posed three questions about the meaning of development as follows: (i) What has been happening to poverty? (ii) What has been happening to unemployment? (iii) What has been happening to inequality? He asserts that if all three of these have declined from higher level, then beyond doubt, there has been a period of development for the community concerned. Author Dunham quoted publication made as far back as 1915 stating community development as making the small town a better place to live in and a better place in which to do business. Duncan spotlights that the problems of community development lies on the ability to identify, document, and use the available resources for the development of the community. Hence, lack of mobilization and local participation in community development may turn ruling class, thus making people to be reluctant. Community development is a process by which the effort of the people themselves are unified with those of government and non-governmental authorities to improve the economic, social and cultural conditions of communities to integrate those communities into the life of the nation and enable them contribute fully to national progress(UNO, 1962). It is a process of social action in which people of the community organize themselves for the identification of their needs with maximum reliance on 15 their own initiative and resources, supplemented with assistance in any form from government and non-governmental organization. Community development seeks to empower individuals and groups of people by providing these groups with the skills they need to affect change in their own community. It involves changing the relationship between ordinary people and people in position of power, so that everyone can take part in the issues that affect their lives. It seeks to empower individuals and groups in their own community. It is a process of helping a community strengthen itself and develop towards its full potential.
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.
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
5.1 Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain assessment of the extent of utilization of effective strategies for mobilizing rural women for commuinty development. 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 an a assessment of the extent of utilization of effective strategies for mobilizing rural women for commuinty development
Summary
This study was on assessment of the extent of utilization of effective strategies for mobilizing rural women for commuinty development. Three objectives were raised which included: The extent of utilization of communication strategy for mobilization of rural women for community development, the extent of utilization of women associations for mobilization of rural women for community development and the extent of utilization of functional literacy education for mobilization of rural women for community development. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from Abia Central Senatorial Zone of Abia State. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
A cursory look at the entire work especially at the findings made in the course of the study reveals that there is a yawning gap in the level of involvement of male and female gender in the development of the Nigerian society especially in the political economy of the country. This less involvement of the female folk has contributed in no small measure to the backwardness of the country despite the enormous resources with which the country is endowed. It has to a great extent slow down the pace at which the communities grow and develop. Therefore if the Nigerian society should develop like other countries of the world, there is urgent need to get more Nigerian women involved in the development of every facet of the economy. This will help to pull all the human resources together for the upliftment of the society. The researcher wishes to conclude at this point that the less involvement of women in development would be a thing of the past if the recommendations made are meticulously implemented by those concerned. This will help to speed up the rate at which the society develops and outgrow those countries we refer to as developed
Recommendation
Government in partnership with community development partners should not only provide modern farm implements such as tractor, planters, harvesters etc to the rural women farmers but also educate them on how to use these implements to enhance their production since the lives of millions of Nigerians depends heavily on proceeds from agriculture
To improve the level of women education in the country, girl child education should not only be made free but also compulsory at secondary school levels and affordable at tertiary level. This will help to dig out those hidden potentials of the women which the Nigerian society has not actually started appreciating.
References
- Afolabi, M.M. (2008). “Women as pillars of national economy in Nigeria: A study of economic activities of rural women in six local government areas of Ondo State”. IAFFE Summer Conference, International Association for Feminist Economics, Torino, Italy, 1.
- Agbola, T. (1990) “Women, Self Actualization and the Theories of Development”, African Urban Quarterly.
- Anikpo, M. (2000) “Perspective in Gender Studies and Women Development Programme, Agenda for The New Millennium”, An unpublished paper delivered at first gender studies conferences organized by the department of English Studies, University of Port-Harcourt.
- Babalola, J.B. (2003), “Basic Text in Educational Planning. Ibadan Awemark Industrial Printers.
- Batten, T. R. (1997) “Community and their development, An Introductory Study” Oxford, London University Press.
- Fagerlind, A. and Saha, L.J. (1997),” Education and National Developments”. New Delhi. Reed Educational and Professional Publishing Ltd.
- Gary, S. Becker (1993) “Human Capital, A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis With Special Reference to Education, National Bureau of Economic Research”, The University of Chicago.
- Gary, S. Becker, “Human Capital, A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis with Special Reference to Education”, National Bureau of Economic Research, The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1993.
- Paul, T. Schultz, “The Role of Education and Human Capital in Economic Development: An Empirical Assessment”, paper presented at the conference on Economic Growth in the World Economy, Institut für
- Weltwirtschaft, Kiel, 1992 Graham – Browns (1991).Education in the Developed World. London, Longman.
- Gulet, (1971) “Women and Community Development: Historical Survey. London Macmillan Publishing Comp Inc.
- Juliana, E. O. (2000) “A Systematic Approach to Writing Report In Tertiary Institution”. Anambra, Joevin Publishers. Martin Husz, “Human Capital, Endogenous Growth, and Government Policy”, Peter Lang GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, 1998. 78
- Mivanyi, J.Y. (1996) “National Planning and The Participation of Women in Nigeria. A Pragmatic View. Ibadan, Vintage Publishers.
- Njoku, Z.C. (1995)”Sustainable Rural Development in Nigeria: A Challenge for Women. Enugu, Centre Pub Ltd.
- Nwatu R, (2006) “Principles of development administration” Enugu; Zik- Chuks Press.
- Obasi, N.I. (1999) “ Research Methodology in Political Science”. Enugu Academic Publishing Company.
- Obi, M.O. (1997) “Unpublished M.Sc. Lecture Notes, Department of Public Administration and Local Government, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
- Okoro, C.I. (2005) “Contribution of Women to National Development: Imo State Example. Ibada, Vintage Publishers.
- Olawepo, J.A. and Jekayinka, A.A. (1999)”Education as a Means of Empowering Nigerian Women to Participate Actively In Politics and Government. Nigerian Journals of Social Studies Review.
