WOMEN AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

ABSTRACT

This study is a research work to identify the prospects, problems and consequences women encounter in the rural development in ORLU Local Government of Imo State. In the present Nigeria society, the role of women can not be over emphasized. Basically, they are the mothers of the respective homes and are major determinant of a child character after nurture. More over, this research also attempts at identifying the development sectors where women are mostly involved. the research also identified areas of hindrances and preferred solutions to them. In all we have so far seen from all the literature referenced that women allover have always found ways of coming together to get on as one unit with respect to development in their communities.


CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION


1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Rural development is one of the major problems facing ORLU 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 ORLU 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.
The pre-colonial history of Umuowa in ORLU Local Government have it that, before the coming of the whites, rural development in ORLU Local Government was at low points because women were cast out of major event that is happening in that geographical area. Until the coming of the colonial masters in 1861 during the process of colonization, some privilege 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 Umuowa, like building of town hall, civil centers, health centers, and markets.
Without women in ORLU Local Government and Umuowa autonomous community, development there would have not been a successful one because they play a vital role in development of Umuowa and ORLU Local Government area.
The case study of this project shall focus on the activities and roles played by women in development of Umuowa in ORLU Local Government of Imo State.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Rural Development in ORLU Local Government and Umuowa autonomous community are faced with vital problems even women in these rural areas. Umuowa autonomous community could have develop to a normal standard, but know 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 ORLU Local Government are now being hijack by state government. And gives whatever they like to the appointed chairman who has know constitutional right to fight the state that gave him the power. So this problem has affected Umuowa autonomous community which is part of ORLU Local Government.
Again, women in that area are being seen as inferior and weaker sex which is capable of doing nothing. This ideology is causing women in ORLU Local Government and Umuowa 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 Umuowa, the problem of the study are here by summarized in the question below.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE 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 Umuowa 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 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Is government not aware of poor rural development in Umuowa in ORLU Local Government?
Revenue allocation of ORLU Local government is it enough for rural transformation.
Is it justified for women to be rated equal with men in Umuowa and ORLU Local Government?
Do women have what it takes to contribute towards development in Umuowa and ORLU Local Government?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF 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 Umuowa women to know the type of women organization the can identify with in Umuowa autonomous area. 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 Umuowa autonomous society. This start with knowing the villages that make up Umuowa autonomous community and they are UMUDADURU, UMUOJIMMA, ODICHEKU, EZIKEAGWU, UMUDIM, EJEMEKWURU, UMUOGU, OKWARAEBIKA, OKWU, UMUDIKE, UMUEZUKWU, OKWEKITI, UHU. 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 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
In the course of this study so many things limited the progress of the study, such factors as time, weather and finance.
Time dear was no match for the student, for the researcher to cover the whole area.
Weather is poor weather condition experience by the researcher needed for the progress of the work.
Finance due to lack of finance the researcher could not cover the areas needed as per-sources of the project.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS
ROLE: Role prescribed or expected behavior associated with a particular position or status in a group of organisation see also roles.
COMMUNITY: Community is a group of interacting living organisms sharing a populated environment. Since the advent of the internet, the concept of community has less geographical limitation as people can now gather virtually in an online community and share common interests regardless of physical location.
TRANSFORMATION: Transformation we first encountered this usage of the word during the early 1990’s when transformation came to be associated with the massive plan to overhaul our nation’s education system.” Education transformation” was a term nuanced with esoteric meaning referring not only to the comprehensive ‘Economic, social and cultural health of American society.