1.0 Introduction
Rural development is one of the major problems facing Ideato North Local Government in Imo State. Rural development helps in transformation of the rural part of the country. Reports in most media and personal investigation had tended to suggestion that women should be encouraged and map, for rural transformation should be established. This means that rural transformation is the priority of every rural part in the society. Therefore, rural development is a progressive improvement of the economic political and cultural conditions of communities through the combined effort of government and the people of the communities.
In our Nigerian today, the roles of women is very important; basically, they are the mother of all respective homes. And they play one of the major roles in educating of children in the family. That is why Ideato North Local Government and the towns that make it up are trying to make bids that will give women a sustainable appreciation and acknowledgement in that area and these women also plays a role on enlightenment campaigns on government policies and forms a core of the mobilization. Which facilitate physical participation in local development project within the communities at large? All these effort are made toward publicizing the roles of women in the socio-economic transformation of the entire society at large.
1.1 Background of the Study
Ideato North local Government was carved out from old ideato local government by then military president of Nigeria, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. This local Government has seven (7) towns /communities in it. The social/welfare dept takes care of the issue related to women affairs. Presently, the local government is headed by a caretaker committee chairman appointed by the governor.
The pre-colonial history of ideato north local government have it that, before the coming of the whites, rural development in ideato north local government was at low points because women were cast out of major events that is happening in that geographical area. Until the coming of the colonial masters in 1861 during the process of colonization, some privileges was given to women to participate in social activities such as western education etc. having received some power and authority through the teachings of colonial masters; they now participate in their own ways for the betterment of humans. From then, these women have embarked on numerous projects to mark development in ideato north, liken building of town hall, civil centers, health centers and markets.
Without women in ideato north local government, development there would have not been a successful one because they play a vital role in development of ideato north local government area. The case study of this project shall focus on the activities and roles played by women in development of ideato north local government of imo state.
1.2 Statement of Problem
Rural Development in Ideato Local Government is faced with vital problems even women in these rural areas. Ideato north community could have developed to a normal standard, but no support from government has set their development backward.
This means that state government of Imo State has not conducted an election in the Local Government for many years now. So the allocations that suppose to come to Ideato Local Government are now being hijack by state government. And gives whatever they like to the appointed chairman who has no constitutional right to fight the state that gave him the power. So this problem has affected Ideato Local Government.
again, women in that area are being seen as inferior and weaker sex who are capable of doing nothing. This ideology is causing women in Ideato Local Government looks like they are not among the moving or main people of the geographical area.
Having established a cursory but concise overview of some of the questions pre-occupying the minds of scholars, researchers, and analyst with respect to necessity of proper study and evaluation of the roles played by women in rural development in ideato north, the problem of the study are here by summarized in the question below.
1.3 Objective of Study
The purpose of this research is to examine the roles of women in rural development and the level which women involves themselves towards development project in ideato north and also to know the development sectors where women are mostly involved.
Again, to know why women are been treated in an abnormal why in the society.
1.4 Theoretical Frame Work
Women and rural development is like a system which exist around environment, therefore, theoretical Framework for this study is based on functionalist approach propounded by Robert Merton, Radcliff Brown and Taicot Parsons.
The functionalist approaches are also known as the structural equilibrium approach incorporate elements of system theory. This theory perceives the rural as having made up of subparts which function integrate and inter dependently to achieve their group goals for the survival of any social system.
The members must have very sharp values and ideas. Harmony among the various structure of the rural area and are expected to work together in harmony. A common experience of social life is one of relative harmony and order. This is the kind of situation found in a rural area where different groups or associations embark on different activities towards the development of the rural community.
The entire different development projects are aimed at developing the society. In other words, each of the Constituent part has its own specific structure of action and activity and all contributing towards the maintenance of the whole group as a unit.
1.5 Significance of the Study
The importance of this work is complex to mention. This means that many people will appreciate the roles of women in rural development. This work can also serve as means of mobilizing other women in other communities to come together and embark on self help project that will help to improve the standard of living and increase the status of women in the society.
This can as well help Ideato Local Government women to know the type of women organization the can identify with in ideato north Local Government. And also it will help to pick out the problem and needs of those women organizations to the government which will eventually serve as a guide to policy concerning women. This can also assist research institution who may wish to carryout findings on activities and contribution of women groups to the society.
1.6 Scope of the Study
The study will only be concerned with the role of women in the development of Ideato north Local Government. This start with knowing the towns that make up Ideato north Local Government and they are; ARONDIZUOGU, OBODOUKWU, AKOKWA, AKPULU, ISIOKPO, URUALLA, and OSINA. We intend that we will be finding out the different women organization that exists in these villages and their contribution to development over the years.
1.7 Statement of Hypothesis
- Ho; The role of women in rural development has a positive impact to play in our society.
- Ho2; the role of women in rural development has no positive impact to play in our society.
1.8 Limitation of the Study
In carrying out research study like this one is likely to face some problems such as:
- Lack of Sufficient capital to enables the researcher to prepare and distributed enough questionnaires to various agricultural productions.
- Great resources in form of money, energy and time where spend in getting some of the material for the study.
- The accessibility of official document that are required for this research were limited due to some restriction existing in the organization.
1.9 Definition of Terms
Rural transformation with the aid of women organization. The major changes in rural areas in Ideato north Local Government are often done through the instrumentality of women organization which Ideato Local Government women are part of it.
The range of their contributions is very high which means that they contributed immensely towards it. And the amount of project they carried out is positively edge for development. For purpose of illustration, the score ranging of project done by this women are 56 – 100 which shows positive range not 0.55 which shows negative range.
This means that women in rural development of Urualla contributed effectively toward their development.
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