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Assessment of the Impact of Women’s Organisations on Sustainable Rural Environment and Livelihood in 1 Ajadi K. O.; 2Adebisi J. A. and 3Alabi F. M.

Abstract Worldwide, women organisations have contributed greatly to sustainable development, promoting development and encouraging progress, which help in reducing or eliminating poverty. The paper focuses on women in rural areas to examine the effort of women organisations (NGOs) in improving environmental education and economic empowerment of people in rural area sin , Nigeria. Primary and secondary sources of data collection are used. This paper covers 50 rural settlements with 250 structured questionnaires distributed across same number of purposively-selected respondents in the study area. The result shows that 2% of respondents can read, write and understand Yoruba and English languages. They lack funds, special training to improve their practical indigenous expertise and talents in local economies. Nearly 47% have access to telephone but less than 25% have access to radio or television and none belongs to any registered governmental or non-governmental organisations. The study recommends the provision of viable infrastructure through government developmental assistance and funding from international partners to educate rural women on how to increase yield on their farms as well as undertake adult, community and environmental education, trainings in health and family planning. These are crucial to government’s drive to break the cycle of poverty and reverse environmental degradation.

Introduction omen, particularly those living psychological, social, legal and economic Win the rural areas of third world support to battered South Asian women and countries, have considerable knowledge and raise community awareness of the problem experience of managing and conserving natural within the South Asian community. They resources. In Nigeria, majority of women are encourage others, within and outside the in the agricultural and informal sectors of the community, to address the intersection of economy; they constitute about 60 per cent of ethnicity and gender when dealing with the Nigeria’s farm labour and produce over 90 issue of domestic violence. They also politicise percent of the domestic food supply (Aina, the position of battered South Asian Indian 2001; Dankelman and Davidson, 1997). women, arguing that battering is much more Worldwide, women organisations have than individual problem, but a social problem contributed greatly to achieving sustainable of the community (Abraham 1995; 2000 and development, promoting development and Sokoloff 2005). encouraging progress, which will help reduce In Nepal, women’s community groups or eliminate poverty. This is done by spelling were involved to save millions of lives, out actions which would transform the lives of especially from neonatal deaths before hundreds of millions of poor people and make reaching the age of one month. Women in the planet a better and safer place for our selected communities were given access to a children and grand children through support group to discuss health-related issues environmental protection, economic well- during pregnancy and childbirth. In this period, being and special equity (Warhan 2001). the number of neonatal deaths in intervention LEAD is an international non-profit communities fell by a third. To the surprise of women’s organisations with a network of over researchers, there was also a large reduction in 1,400 leaders in more than 80 countries. This maternal deaths (Developments 2004: Issue organization is pioneering the use of 4:25), collaborative leadership for sustainable In Bangladesh, “Grameen phone development. The aim is to identify ladies” in rural areas are renting out their outstanding people, especially women, around mobile phone so villagers can call relatives, the globe and develop their leadership friends or business associates, paying for calls potential through training (Developments per minute. They expect to earn more the 2002; Issue 27:7). US$1,000 a year; in a country where the In the United States of America, the average annual income is US$380. This is an emergence of South Asian Women’s example of rural women association accessing organisations across the country provide

1,2,3 Department of Urban and Regional Planning, The Polytechnic , Nigeria [email protected] 86 Assessment of the Impact...... AJadi et al EJESM Vol.3 No.2 2010

mobile technology to alleviate poverty And the complex cycle of poverty, (Development 2002: Issue 20). inappropriate development and environmental In 2003, some female Afghan college degradation, have forced indigent people into professors, who were unable to work in their activities which include destruction of the own country for the year under the Taliban, environment (Aidoo, 1985). The principal made a six-week visit to the USA to pick up victims of environmental degradation are the basic computer skills. The women returned to most under-privileged people, and the majority their country (Afghanistan), to help re- of these, are women (Senghor 1985). Because establish education for students whose studies women play a major role in managing and had been disrupted by politics and war conserving natural resources, there is (Developments, 2003). Also, Martins (2004) worldwide agreement on the need to improve observes that women in Afghanistan are their status and harness their full potential finding a voice through film and television (Adeyemo,1991). with the help of an enterprising media Pursuant to this, the paper aims at projected to change life for the better for assessing the impact of women‘s organizations professional women in the country. Their film on sustainable environment and livelihoods in shows the problems faced by Afghan women rural areas of Oyo State in particular, and in in a country where men have closed their Nigeria, in general. The objective of this paper minds to women. Because of the films, people is to determine the socio-economic in Afghanistan are beginning to understand characteristics of rural women, the major that it is not a bad thing for women to work, developmental activities embarked upon by the that women can have a good future in their NGOs, the effects of the activities on rural country if men and women work together. environmental condition and factors militating In Africa, Foundation Femme Plus against the progress of their efforts. The paper (FFP) is a women’s organisation in the focuses on activities of registered women’s Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which organisations whose aim is to apply helps isolated and marginalised HIV positive establishment of projects as a process of women in the DRC. Many HIV-positive Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA). women, who have been forced to live in the The study area is Oriire local streets, receive social support and financial government area. This is one of the 33 local assistance from the organisation. Most of the government areas in Oyo State at the time of group’s members are widows, many struggling conducting this research. The local to support large families. Their work is a government area is in Ogbomoso Region. It powerful account of the fight against shares boundaries with Olorunsogo Local HIV/AIDS, and their determination to raise Government Area to the north, Local awareness of this devastating disease in the Government Area to the west, Ogo-Oluwa , DRC and internationally. This increases not Ogbomoso South and Ogbomoso North to the only HIV-positive self-respect and confidence south and Kwara State to the east. Oriire local but, also gives the women a new means of government has 10 political wards with an earning money to support their families estimated (2005) population of 151,000 people (Christian Aids, 2001). based on 2.5 percent annual growth at the time Women, particularly those living in of conducting this research. the rural areas of third world countries, play a The paper first explains the concept of major role in managing natural resources. In some global and national resolutions, efforts of addition, their tasks in agriculture and animal women’s organisations and government’s husbandry as well as in the household make efforts in achieving the aim of sustainable them the daily managers of the living environmental development. The results from environment (Dankelman and Davidson, a case study are then analysed and 1997). recommendations made on the identified The issue of environmental problems that could militate against achieving degradation, according to Oladoja (2004), sustainable rural environmental development. includes all situations when human aspirations Conceptual Framework and are unfulfilled when materials and human Literature Review potentials remain undetected, untapped, Some concepts, as they apply to unutilised, under-utilised or even over-utilised. environmental planning, which are important

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for a good comprehension of the aim of this machinery and equipment), natural capital paper are explained (the environment and the natural resources), Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) human capital (human skills and capacity) and Participatory rural appraisal has social capital (strong social relationships and replaced rapid rural appraisal (RRA) of Robert institutions) (DFID,1997). Chamber. This is an approach used by non- Sustainable Environmental governmental organisations (NGOs) and other Development elements can therefore be agencies involved in international encapsulated in four principles. These are: development. The approach aims to  The principles of intergenerational incorporate the knowledge and opinion of rural equity which advocates the necessity to people in the planning and management of conserve natural resources for development projects and programmes the benefit of future generations (www.wikipedia.org/wiki/partipatory).  The principles of sustainable use which implies that natural resources should be Sustainable Environmental Development exploited in Sustainable development was the sustainable or prudent or rational or wise or central theme of the Rio Declaration signed by appropriate manner; 178 countries at the United Nations (UN)  The principle of intra-generational Conference on Environment and Development equity which acknowledges that the use by one in 1992. The Declaration recognises a number state must take into account of of key points which include eradication of the needs of the other states; and poverty, environmental protection and the  The principle of integration which recognition of the vital role of women in suggests that environmental considerations be environmental management and development. integrated into Ten years after the Rio Earth Summit in Brazil, economic or other development plans, Johannesburg (South Africa) hosted the World programmes and projects, and the Earth Summit on Sustainable Development, development needs are taken into account in tagged Earth Summit + 10. The summit in applying objectives. Johannesburg led to inter-governmental From the foregoing, it is assumed that agreement on among other issues, freshwater, all lives on earth are parts of one single renewable energy, international governance interdependent system, which influences and (good governance) and national sustainable depend on the non-living components of the developmental strategies. This is to be built on planetary rocks, soils, water and the by implementation of partnerships with the atmosphere. civil society that includes non-governmental Sustainability, as used in this paper, organizations and the private sector. All these means refusal or inability to rob from the efforts by the UN were to examine how future to pay the bills for today. The term widespread the problem of environmental environment is used to connote the totality of degradation. How people are affected and how the external and internal conditions and the environment can be sustained. influences affecting the life, growth and World Bank (1990) sees sustainable development of organisms. It consists of development as projects and policies which physical, biological and social components promote per capita economic growth without (Oladoja, 2004:2).Everyone needs clean water, jeopardising the integrity of the physical stock food, fresh air and shelter. It is the earth’s on renewable and environment resources. In natural resources that fulfill all these basic the National Policy on the Environment, needs. sustainable development refers to the judicious Sustainable environmental and planned use of natural resources for development is, therefore, in this paper, seen as equitable development to meet the needs of the development of the natural and the man-made present generation without jeopardising that of resources that meet the needs and aspirations the future (NPC, 1989). of the current generations without Sustainable development requires the compromising the ability to meet those of management and maintenance of different future generations. sorts of capita: human beings as created capita A livelihood comprises the (including physical infrastructure, buildings, capabilities, assets (including both material

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and social resources) and activities required for people, eliminate waste, and fighting a means of living. A livelihood is sustainable corruption; when it can cope with, and recover from, Particular focus on economic infrastructure, stresses and shocks and maintain or enhance its including transport and electricity; capabilities and assets both now and in the • Improve people’s access to health, future, while not undermining the natural education, welfare, employment, resources base (Environmental Policy empowerment, security and participation in Department, 2002). public services. Rural area as used in this paper means • Attention to privatisation, anti- a sparsely-populated area with agricultural corruption initiatives, freedom of information character in which people farm or depend on and enhancing the role of civil society natural resources including the villages and in this campaign. small towns in these areas. It may also be New Partnership for Africa’s Development characterised by an economy based on logging, (NEPAD) mining, petroleum and natural gas exploration, The NEEDS was sequel to the New wind or solar power or tourism. Government Partnerships for Africa’s Development services are generally available, but may be (NEPAD), which is an Africa-led strategy limited in scope or unavailable in some cases directed at the achievement of the international (www.en.wikipedia.org.2008). development and Millennium Development The Millenium Development Goals (MDGS) Goals. The goal is in recognition of the fact In September 2000, 149 heads of states that universality of environmental degradation, and Government and 189 nations in total in elimination of poverty and inequality in an their declaration acknowledged that progress in increasingly interdependent and globalised environmental development policy is based on world lie at the heart of sustainable sustainable economic growth which must focus development. on the human rights of the poor. The Efforts of Women Organisations in Nigeria Declaration (MDGs) includes eradication of Warham, (2001:7) notes that “Women extreme poverty and hunger, achievement of Organisations worldwide have contributed in universal primary education, promotion of the no small measure to achieving sustainable gender equality and empowers women, development. In Nigeria, women represent reduction to child mortality and improving about 49 percent of the population, but they maternal health by year 2015. This effort also form only about 36 per cent of the total labour involves combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and force (FOS,1992). Majority of the women are other diseases and supporting the Agenda 21 in the agricultural and the informal sectors of principles of sustainable development. Direct the economy, accounting for about 60% of support from the richer countries, in the form Nigeria’s farm labour and producing over 90 of aid, trade, debt relief and investment is to be percent of the domestic food supply provided to help the developing countries. (Aina,2001). The first major attempt at The National Economic Empowerment and institutionalising the women’s question is what Development Strategy (NEEDS) has become known as Women in Development The National Economic Empowerment (WID), an approach that emerged out of the and Development Strategy (NEEDS) as First UN Decade for Women, Peace and Nigeria’s home-grown poverty reduction Development (Levy 1986). The Gender and strategy, was launched in May 2004 with Development (GAD) approach emerged to similar strategies developed across the 36 correct the inadequacies of WID. states and 774 local government areas of the Following the UN Women’s Decade country as State Economic Empowerment and (1975-1985), Nigeria launched the Better Life Development Strategy (SEEDS) and Local Programme (BLP) in September 1987, through Empowerment and Environmental the initiative of the First Lady, Mariam Management Programme (LEEMP) at the state Babangida. The broad objectives of BLP were: and local government levels respectively. To encourage and stimulate the rural NEEDS focuses on women in particular, and rural populace in • Reforming government and general, towards improving their standards of institutions to improve service delivery to poor living, their families and their environment; to inculcate the spirit of self-development, 89

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particularly in the rural women, in the areas of was the genesis of the Aba Women’s education, business and recreation; and to Association, which later played a dominant create greater awareness among the populace role in mobilizing support for the National about the plight of women (Aina, 2001). Council for Nigeria and the Cameroons Also, in compliance with the United (Olumese,2001). Nations Directive, the Nigerian Military Mrs Funmilayo Kuti provided the Government in 1989, under Decree 30, needed leadership for organising women in established the National Commission for Egbaland in 1914 and 1947, to protest the Women (NCW) which was to bring all colonial tax system. By reforming the women’s groups and programmes under its Abeokuta Women’s Union (AWU) in 1946, umbrella. Amongst her objectives were to she succeeded in bringing both the elite and promote the full utilisation of women and to non-elite Egba women under the same improve the welfare of women in general. umbrella. The success of AWU in abolishing Country Women’s Association of the flat rate tax for women provided the Nigeria (COWAN) is an example of a incentive needed to form the Nigerian grassroots organisation formed by rural Women’s Union which was concerned with women, founded in 1982 as a non- women’s welfare in the country. The National governmental organisation with the objective Council for Women’s Societies (NCWS) of helping rural women in their various protested against the exclusion of women from economic activities, including food production, the Constitution Drafting Committee in the trade/handicraft and social development transition to civil rule in 1979 and, through its (Aina,2001). efforts women’s interest was represented in Prior to the UN declaration on women subsequent phases of the programmes in the 70s, Nigerian women’s organisations (Olumese 2001). had been very active in 1920s Lagos Market Due to the activities of those women’s Women gave a big boost to Herbert societies, many of the women’s advancement Macaulay’s Nigerian National Democratic curtailed by cultural, traditional and religious Party (NNDP) and subsequently the National practices have been eliminated, giving room Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) during now to social, cultural and religious practices this period. In the same vein, women wielded that promote the advancement of women. For significant influence through the size of their instance, women are now being conferred with organisations and the homogeneity of their chieftaincy titles in their communities; some membership. For instance, under the leadership churches also ordain women as preachers and of Mrs Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti in Abeokuta, prophets while taboos prohibiting women from they protested against the tyranny of traditional eating certain types of food are no longer rulers and the male folk generally; also, the observed. In addition, in order to curb Mikiri Organisation of Igbo Women domestic violence against women and spearheaded the Aba Women’s Riots of 1929- children, a number of NGOs have been in the 30 against the Native Administration System forefront of creating awareness while some (Williams,1992). have established safe houses for victims of Women in Calabar, Owerri and Aba such violence (National Planning Commission, (the Dancing Women Movement), from 1925 2001). to 1928, demonstrated against cultural However, it is disheartening that all imposition, the introduction of the Native these services, activities, efforts and types of Authority System and payment of tax by information are limited to the urban centres in women. They were able to mobilise Nigeria and the positive impact is not felt by themselves using the extensive market the rural women. women’s networks at their disposal. The Aba Government’s Efforts in Nigeria Women’s Riots came to be regarded as a A number of measures were feminist movement in itself, because the introduced, notably aimed at employment women acted as a group to protect their generation, as well as the promotion of economic and political interests endangered by integrated rural and community as well as taxation. Women’s grassroot associations environmental development. The programmes became stronger when taxation became fully include: The establishment of Operation Feed introduced in 1956 in the Eastern Region. It the Nation (OFN) in 1976, by the Head of

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State Olusegun Obasanjo aimed at making the However, in 2003, comments and country self-sufficient in food production. observations on Nigeria’s 2 nd and 3 rd periodic Also,in 1979, the Green Revolution was report of the Convention on the Elimination of established by the civilian regime of Alhaji Discrimination Against Women, state that Sheu Shagari. The setting up of the Directorate “…The committee further Commended the of Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructure Nigerian Government for giving rural women (DFFRI) in February 1986, to initiate a wide access to drinking water, electricity and shelter range of programmes covering rural roads as well as qualitative improvements in their construction and rehabilitation, promoting of living standard” (CEDAW, 2004: 10) productive economic activities, provision of Methodology pipe-borne water and rural electrification to Both primary and secondary sources facilitate rural development; and the of data were used for this paper. The secondary establishment of the National Directorate of data were obtained from the internet, Employment (NDE) in November 1986 to periodicals and other relevant publications. create job opportunities for Nigerians, Primary data were obtained through the especially school leavers. administration of structured questionnaire. The Mrs. Maryam Babangida introduced questionnaire was designed and directed at the the Better Life Programme (BLP) in rural women in the local government to gather September 1989 aimed at improving the living information relating to socio-economic standards of women (especially rural women) characteristics of rural women and to identify and those of their children. The establishment all established women organisations, their of the Mass Transit Programme in January sources of fund, physical development projects 1988 was meant to provide subsidised and training embarked upon by the identified transport services in major cities and towns. organisations in the study area. The The setting up of the National Economic questionnaire was pre-tested and amended Recovering Fund (NERFUND) effective on 9 before administration. January 1990 and the Small and Medium For this paper, all women above 18 Enterprises (SMES) institutions (the People’s years in all the 553 settlements represent the Bank in October 1990 and the Community population for this study. Hierarchical Banks in 1990) were started to bridge the sampling was applied to divide the settlements widening gap in lending to small-scale into two hierarchical units: primary and enterprises. secondary units. All settlements, with a During the Abacha regime, the population above 1,000, according to 1991 National Women Commission (NWC) founded National Population Commission (NPC), were by the Babangida regime was upgraded to the considered as primary units. Other settlements Ministry of Women Affairs and Social below 1,000 were considered as secondary Development at the federal level and replicated units. All the rural settlements were in all the 36 states. As was the case with the purposively stratified into 10 clustering units NWC, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs served based on the number of the primary units as an office for the Family Support Programme identified. (FSP) and Family Economic Advancement It is not advisable and necessary to Programme (FEAP) which were Mrs Mariam have a full coverage of the 553 settlements for Abacha’s version of the programme launched the study. From each clustering unit, the by her predecessor. FSP and FEAP replaced primary unit and an additional four (4) BLP. secondary units (5 ×10=50) selected by simple The second coming of President random sampling (Lucky-dip method) were Olusegun Obasanjo initiated a number of chosen for the study. Therefore, 50 settlements measures, notably National Poverty were selected for the study. Eradication Programme (NAPEP), the Poverty Hierarchical and stratified sampling Reduction Strategic Programmes, (under the was used because the settlements are dispersed umbrella of NEEDS) among others which aim within each clustering unit and spatial at alleviating poverty. Of these entire distribution of samples will provide varied programmes, the Better Life Programme information. Only four additional secondary (BLP) was specially-targeted at women. settlements within each clustering unit are relatively homogenous in terms of historical

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and political characteristics. The randomness is believed, will mitigate environmental to remove bias and ensure that every secondary degradation and improve their expertise. settlement has an equal chance of being Nearly two-third (73%) of the selected for the study in each clustering unit. respondents’ main source of income is in agro- Some 5 women were purposively allied food processing, especially yam flour selected from each settlement selected for the and garri (cassava flour) processing. Some study. Where available the Iyaoloja (women’s 14%,6%,5% and 2% secure their main sources head) and one of the Oloris (queens) and any of income from soap making, tie-and-dye, other two heads or leaders of selected women’s fashion designing and pottery, respectively. organizations were selected. When not But some 95%,72%,63%,60%, 60%, available, any 5 leaders of women organisation 50%,50%,40%,36% and 14% of respondents society were selected. To this, therefore, 50 have practical indigenous knowledge in food settlements and 250 respondents were selected processing, poultry, catering services, , pottery and interviewed. Only 37 respondents filled soap making tie-and-dye, palm-oil production, and completed the questionnaires themselves fashion designing, beekeeping, shea-butter, , while other 213 respondents were interviewed and respectively. They deal in them as their directly. secondary income sources. This implies that It is expected that in this local rural women do not lack entrepreneurial skill government, the calibre and number of women and they are poor because the right framework interviewed will provide a representative does not exist. Much time is wasted in feature of rural women developmental realizing their entrepreneurial skill as those awareness and productivity. Also, the level of who fry garri admitted that it takes 12-15 days efforts of the women’s organisations in the to fry a medium size lorry load of cassava into provision of physical project and training in gaarri. They would need enough of money to rural areas in Nigeria would be shown. purchase electric fryer that would use some Results and Discussion hours to fry the same medium size lorry load The entire respondents are women, (see table 1). adults above 18 years. And 90% are married Nearly every respondent uses wood as but 92% have children. 50%, 48% and 2% are source of fuel for cooking in both domestic Muslims, Christians, and traditional and commercial purposes. None of them has religionists respectively. This implies that any special training or knowledge in computer, those interviewed are mature women and cut community awareness education modern across the three major religions in the area. health education, vocational training and This certainly shows that there is no bias environmental education. Only 2% earns an against any particular religion (see table 1). average monthly income of more than Two per cent of respondents can read #15,ooo.oo and combine government jobs with and write with understanding in at least one trading. Their lack of special training may language (Yoruba) but 98% cannot and only have contributed to the level of their skills, that 2% are in the category of apprentice is, sources of income. (unemployed). Each of the respondents All the respondents admit that the belongs to one organization or the other but no organisations to which they belong do not one belongs to any registered governmental or embark on any communal physical non-governmental organisation. development projects or training programmes. All the respondents admit that the They admit that the objectives of these organisations to which they belong meet at organisations are religious and ceremony least once in a week and some 60% belong to inclined. They also serve as various informal more that one organisation. This implies that forms of credit sources for their trades and there are no stiff rules against becoming social engagements. About 92% do not members of more than one organisation and understand the objectives of women’s therefore it would not be difficult for organisations as stressed by Afonja (July governmental agencies or the NGO’s to 1995). Only the 8% that knows these incorporate them into formidable formal objectives believes that those objectives are organisations that would be very active in made for urban women. This shows their level developmental activities. These activities, it is of ignorance as far as the main objectives of women’s organisations are concerned.

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All respondents suggest that rural poverty and would have serious positive women should be encouraged to form implication for the environment. themselves into formal rural women’s Women’s Organisations should also organisations and be educated on women- create a dialogue between the government and focused activities. They also believe that the local communities, and enough pressure assistance, in terms of loan with very low must be put on government to develop the administrative charge s from governmental rural areas. The rural dwellers should be agencies would go a long way to enhance their included in the management of forest and other livelihoods in rural communities. basic services. Nearly all (96%) respondents use Women in the rural areas do not have kerosene as source of fuel for lighting. About any bias against any religion, as far as 47% had access to telephone but less than 25% participating in the rural societies’ activities is of them had access to radio or television. This concerned. This implies that any implies that physical contact would be an Governmental agency or NGO could take this effective way of passing information, training into an advantage to encourage or co-opt them and so on to these rural women. into registered women’s organisations that will Nearly 48% of the respondents make rural community development their focal identify borehole as their main source of water issues. They should also encourage and for domestic use, mainly in the primary support any professional or practical training settlements, 15% from shallow-wells and 37% programmes that would encourage and from rivers/streams in the secondary strengthen the role of rural dwellers in both settlements. Nearly all the respondents dispose political and public life. of or burn their refuse (solid waste) at Women’s Organisations should encourage unapproved dumpsites. and support initiatives which would inform Conclusion rural dwellers, especially women, about their The root of these problems facing rights and the practical steps they can take to rural dwellers, especially women in Nigeria, improve their quality of life. They should also can be traced to insufficient access to viable work through the existing community-based infrastructure, which encourages poverty and organisations to initiate conventional savings misery. When the complex cycle of poverty is and loan schemes and provide credit and other broken and appropriate frameworks are set out, financial services to poor rural dwellers, the poor, the majority of whom are women, especially women. living in the rural areas, will be more educated The only 2 % that are literate could be and enlightened. This will dissuade them from used to an advantage. The NGOs/GOs further destruction of the environment. (Government Organisations) could also take Women’s Organisations in Ogbomoso the advantage of the literacy level in the rural town should seek the support of, and areas to group the women into one or two strengthen their links with the international formidable formal women’s organizations.The partners, who are working with their 2% will be used to reach out to those who government to reduce poverty, for instance would normally be out of reach and let them be DFID, for staff training and funding. Also, more educated on the issue of the they should secure developmental assistance in environmental conservation and livelihood. the development of water and electricity Finally, Women’s organisations supplies, improved sanitation, upgrading should mount pressure on the government to clinics, adult education and other essential initiate and implement sustained urban and facilities that would contribute to regional planning policies. No matter how improvements in environmental services, positive the strategies (the national and global (water, air, forest, pasture and nutrients). resolutions such as NEEDS, NEPAD,MDGs or In order to realize their talents, serious sustainable development) are, without carrying efforts should be geared towards empowering out sound and appropriate comprehensive rural women in terms of health education, tree Urban and Regional Planning ( especially planting, community and environmental comprehensive development plan and detailed education and so on. This shall lift them out of layout), may turn out to be harmful in sensitive rural areas.

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Table 1: Descriptive results of Socio-economic variables Marital Status Frequency Percentage Single 25 10 Married 225 90 Total 250 100 Religion Frequency Percentage Muslim 125 50 Christian 120 48 African Traditional Religion 005 02 Total 250 100 Main Sources of Income Characteristic Frequency Percentage Cassava flour 105 42 Yam flour 77.5 31 Soap Making 35 14 Tie-and-Dye 15 06 Fashion Designing 12.5 05 Pottery 5.0 02 Total 250 100 Secondary income Sources Characteristic Frequency Percentage Food Processing 238 95 Tie and dye 225 50 Palm oil 225 50 poultry 180 72 Catering service 157 63 Soap making 150 60 Pottery 150 60 Sheabutter 100 40 Fashion designing 90 36 Bookkeeping 35 14

Membership of women’s organizations Characteristics Frequency Percentage Yes 250 100 No - - Total 250 100 Membership of registered women’s organizations Characteristics Frequency Percentage Percentage Yes - - No 250 100 Total 250 100 Source: Authors Field Work, 2007

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