EVALUATION OF RURAL WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN GRASSROOTS DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN IKPOBA OKHA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

The study dealt on the evaluation of rural women participation in grassroots development activities in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. To achieve the purpose of the study, four research questions were raised and answered. The descriptive survey research method was adopted for the study. The sample size for the study was made up of 100 respondents which were randomly selected from the four communities in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. An analysis of data was done using frequency count and percentages. The major finding from the study include that there is high extent of rural women participation in grassroots development activities in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. It was concluded that the challenges militating against rural women participation in grassroots development activities in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State include cultural and societal norms, limited access to education, economic barriers, political marginalization and lack of infrastructure. The study recommended among others that the government design and implement targeted capacity-building programmes focusing on providing women with relevant skills, knowledge, and resources to actively participate in economic, social, and political spheres within their communities.