INFLUENCE OF CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS ON WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS IN KHANA AND GOKANA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF RIVERS STATE

Abstract

This study examined the influence of customs and tradition on women participation in community development process in Khana and Gokana Local Government Areas of Rivers State. Three research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population of the study was 1,900 respondents comprising 560 community leaders and 1,340 women from community-based women organizations who participated in various community development programmes in Khana and Gokana local Government Areas of Rivers State. The sample size for the study was 320 respondents determined by using Krejcie and Morgan table of sample size determination. The study used a self-designed questionnaire for data collection. The instrument was validated by the researcher’s supervisor, one expert in Community Development and one in Measurement and Evaluation from Rivers State University. A test of internal consistency was carried out using the Chronbach Alpha method to determine the reliability of the instrument. Reliability coefficients of 0.81, 0.89 and 0.91, were obtained for the three sections of the instrument respectively. From the analyzed data, the findings of the study among others revealed that customs and traditions such as Sira, Wune-Dam, not allowing women voice their opinion amid men and not allowing women to occupy leadership positions etc. all contribute to militating against women participation in community development process in Khana and Gokana Local Government Areas of Rivers State. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among other things that the Rivers State Government should work towards the implementation of policies that promote gender inclusivity in community development activities. This includes reforming inheritance laws, promoting women’s rights to land ownership, and ensuring that local governance structures are gender-sensitive and inclusive of women's voices in leadership positions