THE ROLE OF WOMEN NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION (NGOs) IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN AKWA IBOM STATE
Abstract
This study was carried out to find out the influence of women non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) on rural development in Akwa Ibom State. The study
population comprised all adults women in Akwa Ibom State out of which 360 were
randomly sampled from six Local Government Areas. Three research questions
which sought to find out if women NGOs had any significant influence on rural
economic, social and political development were raised and answered using data
obtained through a questionnaire. The data were analyzed using a simple
percentage. The responses revealed that the activities of the women NGOs have
not reached out to the rural areas and therefore did not have any significant
influence on rural development. The study, therefore, recommended that donors to
and sponsors of women NGOs should effectively monitor their activities to
ensure that they reach out maximally to the rural communities.
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.
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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.
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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 the 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).
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 the 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 the 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.
1.2 Statement
of the Problem
The declaration of 1975 through 1985 as the Decade for
Women have resulted in increased efforts aimed at empowering women.
According to Arum (2010), the aim of women empowerment is to enable them to 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.
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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 negligible impact on rural development.
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The problem, according to Bassey and Toyo (2003) is that most women empowerment programs 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?
The problem, according to Bassey and Toyo (2003) is that most women empowerment programs 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.
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 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 who have provided assistance to such groups the
success or failure of these NGOs. The study will also provide a useful insight
into 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 programs to meet the developmental needs of 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 hindered
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 capacity of the women to enable them to 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 rely heavily on subsistence farming
for livelihood.
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