The Perception of the Community on Women Organizations in Borama District, Somaliland

ABSTRACT 

In Somaliland, women organizations have been the major contributors to the social development work since the end of the civil war. They had voluntarily organized themselves to provide basic needs to the vulnerable groups in the community yet their work has been undermined by the community. Therefore this study investigated the community perception on women organizations that are carrying out social development work in Borama District. The objectives of the study were to establish a significant difference in the level of perception of urban and rural community on women organizations, and to determine the successful projects implemented by women organizations. The study was conducted through descriptive research; data were collected between January and March 2011. From both primary and secondary sources using questionnaires and interview guides, primary data were collected from a sample of 80 respondents through purposive and simple random sampling. Cross tabulation and frequency were used to analyze data, The study established that the majority of the respondents agreed that women organizations have played great role to contribute to the social development work since the end of the civil war. It also shows that there is a difference in perception between urban and rural communities in Borama district and that awareness raising and capacity building projects are the most successful projects implemented by women organizations. The study also recommends that Borama district community should encourage and create conducive environment for women organizations so as to carry out their developmental work effectively, Women organizations should extend their social development work to the vulnerable groups in rural areas.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION A II

DECLARATION B III

APPROVAL SHEET IV

DEDICATION V

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS VI

ABSTRACT VII

TABLE OF CONTENTS VIII

LIST OF TABLES XII

LIST OF ACRONYM XIII

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study 1

Statement of the Problem 4

Objectives 5

General objectives 5

Specific objectives 6

Research Questions 6

Scope

Geographical scope 6

Content scope 7

Time scope 7

Significance of the Study 7

CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Introduction 9

Theoretical framework 9

Community perception on women org 10

Gender imbalance 10

Gender as a social role 11

Gender as a social relation 11

Gender as a social practice 12

Perception of the community on women in politics 12

Peception of the community on women’s economic contribution 15

Factors behind the emergence of women organizations 17

Role of women organizations in the community 18

Women organizations in peace and security 19

The economic role of Somali women 20

Women organizations and health 22

Women organizations and capacity building 22

Constraints and limitations of women organizations 23

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

Introduction 25

Research Design 25

Research population 25

Sample framework 26

Sample size 26

Sampling technique 27

Sampling procedure 27

Methods 27

Instruments 27

Questionnaire 28

Interview 28

Sources of data 28

Primary data 28

Secondary data 28

Validity and reliability 29

Data analysis 29

Ethical consideration 29

Limitations of the study 30

CHAPTER FOUR

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSIONS OF DATA

Introduction 32

Socio-demographic profile 32

Community perception on women organizations 35

Projects implemented by women organization 40

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMNDATIONS

Introduction 44

Level of community perception on women organizations 44

Significance difference in the level of perception 46

Successful projects implemented by women organizations 46

Conclusions 47

Recommendations 48

Local community 48

Women organizations 48

Government 49

International development partners 49

Trade unions 49

Religious groups 50

Suggestions for further studies 50

REFERENCES 51

APPENDICES 53

APPENDIX I: Questionnaires 53

APPENDIX II: Time frame 59

APPENDIX III: Budget 60

APPENDIX IV: Introductory letter 61

APPENDIX V: Researcher’s CV 62