Effect of Local Government Administration in Women Empowerment in Imo State
ABSTRACT
This study examines the effect of Local Government Administration in Women Empowerment of Imo State vis-à-vis Oguta Local Government Area, in order to ascertain the prevailing rate of gender inequality in Oguta Local Government Area, and to unveil the various policies and programmes that have been adopted by the government in order to curtail the menace.
The theoretical framework adopted in this study is the group theory, which took into cognizance the segmented cleavages existing in a plural society, which include political, religious and cultural affiliations and also both men and women found in the society.
The method of data collection is the primary and secondary source which includes questionnaire and documentary evidence. Questionnaires were administered to 100 people but a total of 90 were retrieved. Based on the findings of this study, recommendations were made.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
The overall development of a country depends solely on the maximum utilization of the human resources both men and women. In Nigeria, women comprise nearly half of the total population of approximately 177, 155, 754, million. Yet the status of women is much lower than that of men on every sphere of life.
In many cultures, power is wielded by men, and women enjoy for less freedom, even within their own households. At best, they are identified with domestic life, but men often abuse this power. In 2005, the World Health Organization published it’s multi-country study on “Women’s Health and Domestic Violence against Women”. It focuses on 24, 000 women in 10 countries and reveals between 15% and 71% of abused, by intimate partners depending on the country.
Women are under presented on political offices due to a lack of income, Education, freedom and gender division of labour. In many developing countries, politics is viewed as a mate dominated public activity that is typically masculine in nature and the male dominated leadership often lacks the political will to address inequality making it a vicious circle that is difficult to break gender inequality, and thus, becoming one of the key attainment of the millennium development goals.
With the advancement of time, the fact has now be recognized that without ensuring women development, the national development cannot be achieved, women equal participation on political life plays a pivotal role on the general process of the advancement of women. It is not only a demand for simple justice or democracy but can also be seen as a necessary condition for women’s interest to be taken into account without active participation of women in decision making, the goals of equality development and peace cannot be achieved (FWCW, 1995).
Systematic integration of women arguments is the democratic basis the efficiency and the quality of the activities of local government. If the local government is to meet the needs of both women and men, it must build on the experience of both women and men through an equal representation at all levels and in all field of decision making, covering the wide range of responsibilities of Local Government. Women’s role on decision making is one of the most important questions for consideration in the movement for their empowerment.
Effect of Local Government Administration in Women Empowerment in Imo State
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The problem of gender inequality has now become an intimidating global phenomenon among countries of the world, particularly, in developing countries, with reference to Nigeria in spite of the country’s commitment to the United Nations charter and her campaign for liberal democracy.
Apparently, these constitute a subject of debate in the international area leading to diverse international policies towards addressing the menaced. But on the country, in Nigeria, gender equality has not gained a concrete ground.
The reality is that women are seen as unequal to the opposite sex, their roles are closely tied to their reproductive and household activities only. At the same time women are classified as unit to perform political and community affairs. This is due to lack of clarify in the constitution on the role and responsibility of women.
Another factor that have sustained the problem is the patriarchal system, ideology and practice that impact in different ways on the lives of women whenever they are taken as natural. Even where there is supposed equality, these attitude tend to prevail, socio-cultural norms and religious misinterpretation are used frequently for challenging and reinterpreting women’s right and create insecurity to participate as voters and representatives. In reality they can be actively discourage to do so.
The patriarchal societies enforces rules and laws in such way that affect the self confidence of women, limit their access on resource and information and thus keep them on a lower status than men. Other contributing forces to this dehumanization include lower educational achievement and prevalence of social norms that severely restrict their freedom of movement on the public place, and also the male biased environment within political institutions deter women.
What becomes clear from the gender inequality and women empowerment question is that without these issues been resolved, the problem of gender inequality and discrimination against women will not be thing of the past in Nigeria.
Effect of Local Government Administration in Women Empowerment in Imo State
1.3 Objective of the Study
The objective of the study is as follow:
(i) To establish a link/relationship between local government administration in women empowerment.
(ii) To highlight the various programs of local government aimed at empowering women.
1.4. Significance of the Study
The study will be a contribution towards the avenue of realizing the much needed national development on Nigeria, wealth creation, poverty reduction and the attainment of the millennium development goals and invariably bridging the over increasing gap of inequality against women.
The research finding will also enable policy and law makers for implementation of policies and laws that will enhance the development capacity of women and increase their participation in politics, and also involve active in the management of communities affairs.
1.5 Research Questions
The research questions in undertaking this work are as follows:
(i) Is there any relationship between local government and gender equality?
(ii) To what extent has local government programs impacted and empowered women in Oguta Local Government Government of Imo State?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
The following hypothesis will guide this study:
(i) There is a possible relationship between Local Government and women empowerment in Oguta Local Government of Imo State.
(ii) Local Government can launch programs whose impacts are capable of empowering women in Oguta Local Government
1.7 Scope and Limitation of the Study
The study is confined to local government and gender equality. The work will also highlight the role played by local government in the empowerment of women in Oguta Local Government. The time frame given to complete the study is limited, and due to the short time available in the process of writing this project, here are some of it’s limitation.
(i) Inability to get expected materials and document from government officials as a result f their unavoidability absence and rigors involved in seeing them.
(ii) Inadequate finance hindered to a large extent the actualization of the research objects. This is so because with money one can get the needed material with ease.
(iii) Some newspapers or magazines report are exaggerated and there is almost no uniformity in the published reports.
(iv) The attitude of some of the respondents was not pleasant
Effect of Local Government Administration in Women Empowerment in Imo State
1.8 Definition of Terms
Local Government: Local Government is the subordinate and grassroots of the Government. It consist of local bodies within a locality or among local people with sole aim of managing local affairs or matters of local government.
Women: An adult female human being. A female member of a workforce. Learn etc.
Empowerment: Empowerment is an authority or power given to someone to do something. It is a process of becoming stronger and more confident especially in controlling one’s life and claiming one’s right. It can also be seen as a degree of autonomy and self determination in people and in communities.
Government: Government is the political system by which country or community is administered and regulated.
Administration: Refers to the group of individuals who are in charge of creating and enforcing rules and regulations, or those in leadership positions who complete important tasks.
Effect of Local Government Administration in Women Empowerment in Imo State
Effect of Local Government Administration in Women Empowerment in Imo State
Effect of Local Government Administration in Women Empowerment in Imo State
Effect of Local Government Administration in Women Empowerment in Imo State
Effect of Local Government Administration in Women Empowerment in Imo State
Effect of Local Government Administration in Women Empowerment in Imo State
Effect of Local Government Administration in Women Empowerment in Imo State
Effect of Local Government Administration in Women Empowerment in Imo State
Effect of Local Government Administration in Women Empowerment in Imo State
Effect of Local Government Administration in Women Empowerment in Imo State
Effect of Local Government Administration in Women Empowerment in Imo State
Effect of Local Government Administration in Women Empowerment in Imo State
