1.0. Introduction
1.1. Background of the Study
According to Lele, (1975.10) rural development is the improvement of the living standard of the people of low income population residing in rural areas and making the process of their development self-sustaining. The above definition of rural development point to common fact that has to do with improving the quality of life of rural people.
It is the process of empowering the rural people by harnessing and mobilized their human and material resources. Diejemoah, (1993:2) sees it as a process of increasing not only the level of per-capital in the rural population, but also their standard of living depending on such factors as food and nutrition, health education, housing recreation and security. This is for the purpose of transforming their environment for better and proving their socio/economic needs ranging from employment, qualitative health care, improved nutrition, Adequate and comfortable accommodation, good quality education and security.
Moreso, as Onyiruka, (1989:2) would opine, it is changes in the social and economic structures, institutions, relationship and processes in the context of rural population.
Again Mabogunje (1980:5) state that it is a broadened reorganization and mobilization of rural masses so as to enhance the changes consequent upon this. And it also necessitates the changes consequent upon people in the political decision making process.
According to Eze, (1997:3) The role of women in rural development is to bring upwards growth rate of positive improvement or transportation in the life pattern of inhabitants and production environment women brings introduction of necessary plan strategies and modern facilities to achieve the tastes in rural communities transformation process.
They aim at increasing production and raise productivity among members of the community. It is based on the premise that improvement in productivity enhances food supplies and nutrition of rural inhabitants as well as their overall contribution to national economy.
The role of women in national development cannot be overemphasized, they played vital role in the area of health, education, planned settlement, employment opportunities, elimination of poverty effective communication facilities and infrastructural development. Since it is necessary to take a particular community or area as a case study of the research, we consider it wise to briefly discuss the history of Idemili south local government which served as a case of this research work.
Idemili-south is found in Anambra state. It is a rural area which is made up of six communities, Akwukwu, Alor, Awka-ekiti, Ojoto, Nnobi and Nnokwa. As a rural area, the people depend much on traditional practices in pursuit of their well being because of its traditional out look, women in the community contributed towards the development of the community as well related to house hold or to complete with men folk, although women in community do organize meeting or operates as a thrift society. However, the introduction of the better life programme for rural women 1987 making a turning point in the history of Idemili south as it afforded the women and ample opportunity to make their mark in the development process.
1.2. Statement of Problem
For the past decades women have been considered as inferior or weaker sex to men. This renders them into psychological trauma of not working up to their status. Bit currently it is evidence that what man can do women can also do it better. However this project work shall be addressing the following problems.
The Role of Women Association Has Been Under Played By Their Men Folk.
This did not make the women to withdraw their contribution to the development of Idemili south.
High Level of Illiteracy Among The Women Folk.
The women especially some of the leaders are not literate enough to handle the women association.
Financial Mismanagement By The Leaders.
The leaders of the women association mismanage the available financial resources by making it insufficient for the project
Weak Financial Base:
Rural women suffer from inadequate financial resources because majority of these women are fully house wives, petty traders, who may be willing to contribute but have poor source of finance.
Problem of Corruption:
The leaders of the women suffer from corruption. They often divert public funds into their private bank account.
Gender Inequality:
The men often discrimination against the women, thereby calling them weaker sex, which compounds problems to them.
1.3. Objectives of the Study
There is always a motivating factor in every research. The aim of the research is as follows.
- To serve as an inspiration to the association in the community towards development.
- To give advice with respect to areas of conflict to sabotage progress.
- To highlight the importance of rural women in this air present age with regards to socio-economic and political change.
- To quit the wrong notion that women are weaker vessels and that their role as women ends in them.
- To be useful in proper evaluation of women organization and enhances proper utilization in the process change.
1.4. Research Questions
- What are the problems militating against the proper development of Idemili south communities?
- What is the level of government interference in the activities of women in Idemili south local government area?
- What source of income do women organization in Idemili south local government area have in developing area?
- How many development projects have the women executed in your community?
- What are the importance of rural women in this our present age?
- The notion that women are weaker vessels and it have any effect on developing of the community?
- Did women in Idemili south noted for only food production in present area?
- Are women so relevant in the development of rural area, especially in idemili-south local government?
1.5. Significance of the Study
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The significance of this study lies in the fact that it will help a lot people to appreciate the role of women in rural development? It will help our youth, the general public and sprinted individuals to gain more knowledge. It serves as aground work for other researchers who may wish to make some inquiry into the roles of women in rural development. It can serve as an instrument to mobilize other women in other area as to come together and embark on self help project. It will help young girls to know type of organization they can identify within Idemili south rural area. The study can be of assistance to research institutions who wish to carryout research on activities and contributions of women groups to the society. /uL 1.6. Scope of the Study
The scope of the study is the impact of women in growth and rural development in Anambra state.A case study of Idemili-south local government Area.it is made up of six communities and is assumed that 50 persons are selected from each community.
1.7. Limitation of the Study
The researcher encountered the following problems:
- Financial constraints
- Time factor
- Getting relevant literature materials
- Problems of getting validated research instrument
- Secrecy in realizing the idea.
1.8. Definition of Terms
For clarity and effective understanding of the research presentation, the researcher defines some basic concept in his research.
Women:
Women can be defined as female human beings
Rural Area:
Rural area is a part of a society that are still primitive stage, it is relatively more natural than artificial.
Rural Development:
Rural development is used to demote the actions and initiatives taken to improve standard of living in non-urban neighborhoods, country side and remote villages.
Growth:
growth is an increase in the size, amount or degree of something
Development:
Development is multi-dimensional process. It means change, growth, socialization, transformation and improving the standard of living
Women Empowerment:
This is the breaking of personal limitation and it is the process by which women achieve increased in control over public decision making. Again, is human right that (i.e. at the improvement of self decision regarding to education, participation, mobility, economic independence, public speaking awareness and exercise of right, political participation and many more factors.
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