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AN EVALUATION OF EMPOWERMENT AND ITS IMPACT ON WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN DEVELOPMENT PROCESSES IN UMUAHIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

A critical study shows that women constitute a very high percentage of any country’s population. Despite their numerical strength, countries tend to neglect them in developmental processes. Adirika (2013) citing Jeminiwa is of the view that women by their psychological, physiological and intellectual make-up perform more than complimentary roles in the production and development processes, yet their contributions had been down played, neglected or not recognized at all. National Population Commission (2015) projected that Nigeria has a population of about ninety million, nine hundred and eighty nine thousand, two hundred and four people who fail within women bracket. This group of people (women) is a special group with strong stamina and passion emanating from their general characteristics which include zealousness in development, curiosity towards change, hardworking, ego, and impatience for change among  others.  Women  that  can  foster  change  and development should be of substance, power, and of positive standing and meaning. Wikipedia sees women as adult female humans. Adulthood therefore is associated with social and legal concepts. Social adults are responsible, self-sufficient and mature to function in a society for development. A legal adult on the other hand is one who has attained the age of maturity in contrast to minor. As matured beings, women can foster development because of their power, positive thinking, commitment to change and their forthrightness.

Accordingly, Hossian (2010) believes that women in any nation or society are the most viable and potential human resources not only in population structure but also in social development of a country. Therefore, it is utmost paramount that the prospect for women engagement and empowerment for development must be all inclusive but not limited in the reduction rate of employment, stability in government policies, installation of effective, efficient and result oriented economic team, profitable negotiation, and improvement of basic infrastructure. Nevertheless, women economic participation, engagement and empowerment programmes thrive in positive sustainable developmental setting, and these promote women competence, confidence and connection (Kelvin- Iloafu,Igwe and Enemuo, 2019). In these circumstances, women should be engaged in development processes that will uplift their economic status and have a variety benefits for a nation.

Development is not a largess or a gift from an individual or a philanthropic person to the society or nation. It involves the systematic inclusion of citizens equated with scientific and technical knowledge to meet specific objectives or requirements. Development is directed towards adding improvements to material lives and the society. A nation is made up of youths, women and men and development could not be possible without the active involvement, engagement and participation of all the citizens of the society. It is a deceit to believe that development could occur in a society without active engagement of the youths and women who form the large number of citizens and reside in the country (Emeh, Eluwa and Uka 2012).

Todara and Smith (2006) see development as a multidimensional process which involves the sustained elevation of the entire society and social system towards a better or humane life. In order not to compromise the future generation which mainly consists higher percentage of the women, Obetta and Charity (2012) opt that substantial engagement, participation and sustained interest could only be achieved through development efforts of the women and in direct consonance with the people’s social, cultural and religious values devoid of gender inequality and bias.

Therefore it becomes imperative that for a genuine development to occur, women of the society must be involved either to enhance development or to sustain it. Inclusiveness becomes critical in a country that dreams of development. It is the utmost nature to improve development that Emeh et al (2012) consider people’s engagement and participation to be critical in achieving the objectives of development as they believe that it is a pretense to think that the crises in the developing countries can be overcome or that the reshaping of societies and the development of its rural areas can be undertaken without active participation and engagement of the people, particularly the large number (women) of the citizens. The emphasis therefore, among other things is that participation and engagement by individual beneficiaries (men and women) is an indispensable feature of all forms of development.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Women in Nigeria are doing their fair share to contribute to the nation's progress, although their potential appears to have been underutilized owing to a variety of restrictions. Men and women continue to face disparities in education, work and income prospects, asset control, personal security, and involvement in the development process (Adams & Castle, 1994). This might be due to persistent restraints such as poor economic conditions for Nigerian women, a lack of proper legislation and policies to protect women's rights, unequal access to education, restricted access to land, a lack of assertiveness among women, and so on. Education, affluence, and men's perceptions of the importance of women's engagement in development have all been identified as deciding variables in women's participation in development processes. Women have been chronically underrepresented in political engagement. The most recent general election indicated a 6% representation of women in all levels of political office across the country. In Enugu State, no woman was chosen as the executive chairman of the state's 17 local government areas, and just five women are members of the state house of assembly, which has 24 members. This is a significant underrepresentation of women, who account for almost half of the Nigerian population (Adams & Castle, 1994). Governments and political parties have not completely embraced affirmative action. Women continue to have a low level of schooling, though this is changing gradually.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to determine the evaluation of empowerment and its impact on women’s participation in development processes in Umuahia.

Specific objectives include;

1. To assess the current level of women's participation in development processes in Umuahia.

2. To identify the factors impeding women's participation in development processes in Umuahia.

3. To explore strategies for empowering women's participation in development processes in Umuahia.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What is the extent of women's participation in development processes in Umuahia?

2. What are the primary factors hindering women's participation in development processes in Umuahia?

3. What measures can be implemented to empower women's participation in development processes in Umuahia?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

1. H0: There is no significant difference in the level of women's participation in development processes in Umuahia.

H1: There is a significant difference in the level of women's participation in development processes in Umuahia. 

2. H0: The factors impeding women's participation in development processes in Umuahia are not significant.

H1: The factors impeding women's participation in development processes in Umuahia are significant.

3. H0: Empowerment strategies do not significantly impact women's participation in development processes in Umuahia.

H1: Empowerment strategies significantly impact women's participation in development processes in Umuahia.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The current emphasis placed by the government on women's development by initiating several empowerment programmes justifies the need for an empirical study to evaluate the impact of women's empowerment on their livelihoods in Nigeria. The study is undertaken to provide findings on the level of participation of women in economic empowerment programmes and also the impact of their participation on their livelihood.

The information obtained from this study will be used by all levels of Government, development planners, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations and donor organizations to set policies and strategies for further design and implementation of other development programmes that can promote the livelihood of women. Women's empowerment has been recognized as a catalyst for economic growth and poverty reduction. By evaluating the impact of women's empowerment on their livelihoods, this study can provide insights into how empowering women can positively contribute to economic development, both at the individual and community levels, in Nigeria. The findings from this study will inform policymakers and development practitioners in Nigeria about the effectiveness of existing programs related to women's empowerment. It will further reveal the gaps and areas for improvement, thus leading to evidence-based policy formulation and program design that better addresses the specific needs and challenges faced by women in their pursuit of better livelihoods.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study will focus on an evaluation of empowerment and its impact On women's Participation In Development Processes in Umuahia. The study will further cover the level of women's participation in development process, the factors impeding women's participation in development processes, and the various ways women can be empowered participation in development processes. The respondents for this study will be obtained from the staff of Ministry of Women Affairs, Umuahia, Abia State.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents.

In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed.

More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

1.9 Definition of Terms

1. Empowerment: Empowerment refers to the process of enabling individuals, particularly women in this study, to gain control over their lives, make informed decisions, and assert their rights in various spheres of society, including economic, social, and political domains.

2. Participation: Participation entails the active involvement of individuals, particularly women in this context, in decision-making processes, policy formulation, and community development activities, allowing them to contribute to and influence the development agenda.

3. Development Processes: Development processes encompass the various initiatives, programs, and activities aimed at fostering socio-economic progress, infrastructure development, capacity-building, and sustainable growth within a specific geographical area or community.

4. Impact: Impact refers to the measurable effects or outcomes resulting from empowerment efforts on women's participation in development processes, including changes in their socio-economic status, levels of involvement, and overall well-being.

5. Evaluation: Evaluation involves the systematic assessment and analysis of empowerment programs and interventions to determine their effectiveness, strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement in enhancing women's participation in development processes, providing valuable insights for future policy and programmatic interventions.

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