Roles Of Women In Community Development: A Study Of Esan West Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study examined the role of women in community development in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. The study explored the areas in which women contribute to community development, their level of participation in decision-making processes, and the socio-cultural and economic factors influencing their involvement. The population consisted of women aged 18–65 actively involved in community activities across Esan West. A sample of 300 women was selected using purposive and simple random sampling techniques.Using a survey and interview approach, data were obtained from women actively engaged in community activities across the study area. Findings revealed that women play significant roles in education (mean = 3.72), healthcare (mean = 3.65), microfinance (mean = 3.81), and social cohesion (mean = 3.69). However, their participation in formal leadership and decision-making structures remains limited due to cultural norms (χ² = 18.34, p < 0.05), restricted access to economic resources such as land and credit, and low representation in local governance. The study further established that women’s economic empowerment significantly enhances their level of participation in community development initiatives. The study concludes that women are critical agents of grassroots development in Esan West, but their contributions remain constrained by structural and sociocultural barriers. It therefore recommends the implementation of gender-sensitive policies, improved access to economic resources, and greater inclusion of women in community leadership and decision-making processes to enhance sustainable community development.