Socio-economic variables that influence participation of women in rural development in Rivers State, Nigeria

Rural development is a strategy designed to improve the social and economic life of the rural poor in order to improve productivity as well as increase employment and income of entire nation. Nigerian women and Rivers State women in particular play important roles in rural development. Rivers State Women posses some intrinsic characteristics that influence their participation in rural development. Thus this study identified the socio-economic variables that influence the participation of women in rural development in Rivers State, Southern Nigeria. A structured interview schedule was utilized in obtaining information from one hundred and fifteen (115) respondents. Data were analysed using percentages, mean and multiple regression analysis. The study revealed that mostly married women (56.6%) with mean age (X =46.2) participated in rural development activities. Church projects (X =4.2), woman empowerment programmes (X =3.8), and establishment of agro-processing/storage facilities(X =3.6) were the major rural development projects embarked upon by the women. Educational qualification (t=2.55) and leadership position (t= 2.34) were significant in influencing women participation in rural development. It was concluded that Nigerian women should be empowered in the following ways:- politically by electing and appointing them into leadership positions in the three tiers of government, financially by giving them interest free loans in banks and educationally by giving them more chances in our educational institutions. This will enable them to participate more in rural developments as this will have a multiplier and trickling down effect on the society. Keywords: Women, Socio-economic, Rural development, Nigeria.