THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN IZZI LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF EBONYT STATE

This study was carried out to examine the Role of Women in Community Development in Izzi  Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. Four research questions were formulated to guide the study. A total of six (6) communities in the study area were used for the study. 230 people were selected through simple random sampling techniques to complete the questionnaire. The instrument used for the study was a structured questionnaire designed by the researcher for the collection of data and the survey research design was adopted for the study. The questionnaire contained 20 items based on the research questions. The mean and frequencies were used for the method of data analysis. The data were analyzed and interpreted using mean scores. The results of the findings revealed that political and economic instability militate against effective role of women in community development because valued resources are not properly allocated to the appropriate quarters. Inconsistent policy formulation and programmes design as well as unpurposeful leadership militate against the Role of Women in Community Development. However, women are formidable productive force and a store of incredibly human resources which are required for community and national development. Therefore, women should not be discriminated and marginalized due to their potentialities in development sphere. Based on the findings, it was recommended that political and economic stability, review of government policies and programmes on the role of women, emancipation of women should be urgently and properly carried out completely, special child care/security allowance should be given to the women. Women should be heard, seen and involved in all ventures through their concerted efforts and all plans for the achievement of the objective of women development progress should be prudently designed and faithfully executed.