Women Involvement in Rural Community Development in Enugu North Senatorial Zone of Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study ascertained the involvement of women in rural community development (RCD). The study was carried out in Enugu north senatorial zone, Enugu State, Nigeria, with a total of 4 communities randomly selected from 2 randomly selected LGAs. The total sample size of 60 women was used. Data were collected using an interview schedule and analysed using percentages and mean scores. The findings reveal that agricultural related projects (96.7%), social projects (91.7%), educational projects (81.7%) and health projects (81.7%) were areas of RCD women were involved in. The agricultural related projects of interest included: animal rearing and sales (96.7%), corn processing outfits (91.7%), seasonal crop processing and production (90%) among others. Traders association (x==2.45) and market women association (x=2.45) were RCD groups women were mostly part of, while women empowerment programs (M=2.45), education (M=2.42), urbanization (M=2.42) among others were the factors that enabled women involvement in RCD. Women were involved and played a crucial role in RCD. A more conducive environment such as the provision of soft loans and jobs should be created by government authorities to sustain women's motivation and encourage them to delve into other areas of RCD like Information and Communication Technologies that their presence is not so pronounced. PU - Altezoro, s.r.o. & Dialog PA - Kosice