WOMEN AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: AN APPRAISAL

Abstract

The aim of this research paper is to examine the relationship between women and community development in Nigeria by highlighting the challenges they face, the impact of their participation towards community development and strategies that can help them contribute effectively. According to Alemayehu (2014), community development can be defined as a process concerned with the improvement as well as the transformation of the social, mental, economic, institutional and environmental conditions of the rural dwellers through the mobilization and rational utilization of their human, material and institution resources so as to enhance their capacities to cope with the daily tasks and demands of modern time. Women have played an important role in the development of societies throughout Nigeria's history, their participation and contributions are linked to the social, economic and political progress of communities across the country. Traditionally, women have been at the center of community life but their contributions are often ignored or undervalued. It is important to not only consider the role of women in the development of societies but also to harness the enormous potential they possess to bring about positive changes.