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Women Empowerment and Community Development in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State

Peace N. Collins, Prof. Emmanuel B. Okemini and Benjamin Ibietonye, PhD

Abstract

This study examined the impact of women empowerment on community development in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprised 424,900 women and community development stakeholders in Port Harcourt Local Government Area, from which a sample size of 399 respondents was selected using the Taro Yamane formula and a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled Women Empowerment and Community Development Questionnaire and analyzed using mean and standard deviation, with a criterion mean of 2.50 for decision-making. Findings from the study revealed that all the dimensions of women empowerment examined; economic, educational, political, and social empowerment had significant positive effects on community development in Port Harcourt Local Government Area. The results showed that respondents agreed that women empowerment enhances income generation, reduces poverty, improves educational participation, strengthens leadership involvement, and promotes social wellbeing within the community. The study concluded that women empowerment is a key determinant of sustainable community development in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State. It was recommended that government and relevant stakeholders should strengthen women empowerment programmes through improved access to education, finance, leadership opportunities, and social inclusion to enhance community development outcomes.

Keywords

WomenEmpowermentCommunityDevelopment and Economic

References

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