ABSTRACT
This study is a critical examination
of the impact of women literacy education on the empowerment of women in Oredo
Local Government Area of Edo State.
The introductory aspect of this
project deals with the background of the study, statement of the problem,
purpose of the study, research questions, objective of the study, significance
of the study, basic assumptions, scope of the study, limitation of the study
and definition of terms. The data
collected are clearly analyzed and findings indicated.
The entire work is structured in
five chapters. Chapter one, is an
introduction to the study which contains the above mentioned aspect of the
introductory part. Chapter two contains review of related literature, it tries
to examine what other theories have said on the subject matter. Chapter three, deals with methodology, it
contains the method used by the researcher in carrying out the study and the
system adopted in the collection of data. Chapter four is the data analysis,
its interpretation and discussions of results.
Lastly, chapter five contains the summary, conclusion, recommendations
and suggestions for further research.
To effectively carry out this study,
two different sets of questionnaires are drawn and distributed; one set among
the trainers consisting fifteen questions and second set among the trainees
consisting twenty-five questions. On the
basis of he findings of the study some of the following were recommended:
-
Edo state and Oredo Local Government should work out a
plant to crate more skill acquisition centres.
-
Drastic efforts should be made to produce specialized
trainers.
-
Private individuals, group and companies should come
to the aid of the state and Oredo Local Government to effectively carry out
transformation among women.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page i
Approval ii
Certification iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgement v
Abstract vii
Table of
Contents ix
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Background to
the Study 1
Statement of
Problem 7
Purpose of the
Study 9
Research
Questions 11
Objectives of the
Study 12
Significance of
the Study 13
Basic
Assumptions 14
Scope of the
Study 16
Limitation of
the Study 17
Definition of
Terms 18
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE
REVIEW
Introduction 21
Importance
of literacy education to women 22
Significance of Women Literacy Education on
Empowering
Women 25
Perspectives
on Women Literacy Education 27
Contribution to Women Literacy Education and
empowerment by Federal, State and Non-Governmental
Agencies 30
Obstacles
to Women Literacy Education 32
CHAPTER THREE:
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Design of
Study 43
Study
Population 43
Sample
Technique 43
Instrument
of Data Collection 44
Administration
and Collection of Data 45
Validity of
the Instrument 48
Reliability
o the Instrument 48
Method of
Data Analysis 49
CHAPTER FOUR: ANALYSIS OF
DATA AND
PRESENTATION
OF RESULTS
Research
Questions 1 54
Research
Questions 2 56
Research
Questions 3 57
Research
Questions 4 59
Research
Questions 5 60
Research
Questions 6 62
Research
Questions 7 64
Research
Questions 8 66
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary 68
Conclusion 70
Recommendations 72
Bibliography 74
Appendix (Questionnaires) 76
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
The impact of women literacy education
on the empowerment of women can not be over emphasized. In Nigeria, as in most developing countries
of the world, literacy education is valued so much that it is looked upon as a
pre-requisite for all the short-comings of society as well as the surest means
for empowering women and for national development.
Women literacy education is that
education given to female children or women at different stages and ways
(formal and non-formal). It is the
acquisition of knowledge, skills and abilities to become effective participant
of a given social group. Women literacy
education is the process that brings about self esteem which helps in promoting
participation of women in organizations and their community that reflect in the
society at large.
In reference to education therefore,
the new National Policy states categorically that: The Federal Government of Nigeria has adopted
education as an instrument per excellence for effecting women empowerment and
national development. Education fosters
the worth and development of the individual, for each individual’s sake and for
the general development of the society.
The document emphasizes that every Nigerian child shall have a right to
equal educational opportunities irrespective of any real or imagined
disabilities each according to his or her ability.
Consequently, education has been
pursued with vigour in most parts of Nigeria.
It is seen as the factor whose acquisition raises one’s income as well
as the social status and progress in the society.
In the past, education especially
boy’s education was a sort of life assurance.
Girls’ education was neglected because cultural and biological factors
limited their access to education.
Women’s roles were to procreate and lactate. Women had no say in any community or national
development as they were believed to be the weaker-sex. This phenomenon is not peculiar to
Nigeria. It is common to other parts of
the world. Women have always had less
access to educational opportunities than men.
The reasons being that women were believed to be birds of passages who
will eventually be married to other families after their training. This is why in places such as India, cousins
are allowed to marry so that their wealth will be retained within their
families.
Women are not treated equally as their
male-counterparts in the area of education, job opportunities, distribution of
income, inheritance of properties, political opportunities etc. Kagia (1985:2) pointed out that “these
disparities do not arise out of overt or premeditated discriminatory action rather
they arise because women, like all disadvantages groups, are victims of
historical and cultural accidents, errors of omission rather than
commission”. It was in recognition of
this fact that the United Nations General Assembly of 1969 adopted a declaration
on the “Elimination of discrimination against women at the international level.
Nigeria as a member of the United
Nations Community has joined in the crusade by embarking on programmes aimed at
bringing about social change. Most
states in Nigeria, including Edo State, have shown considerable interest in
women literacy education by promoting and embarking on females’ non-formal
education projects for enhancing women productivity for empowering self and
societal development. In order to do this
effectively, Edo State established the Agency for Adult and Non-formal
education centre, Edo State Skill Acquisition Centre. These agencies are charged among other duties
with responsibilities to act as an “instrument for the eradication of
illiteracy among adults (male and female) in the state and to provide necessary
facilities for this purpose”.
Fortunately, women have not rested on
their oars in protesting against discrimination. They have asked for and secured to some
extent, concessions and strategies aimed at their emancipation towards
contributing their own quota in the empowerment of self and economic
development of the nation.
The important role women have to play
towards contributing to the development of the nation is a theme that is
currently in vogue so much so that a lot of energies and activities are
channeled towards women in the country through the Federal, State and Local
Government programmes.
The administration of President
Ibrahim Babangida and his wife, Mrs. Maryam Babangida established National
Directorate of Employment, Better Life for Rural Women and MAMSER programmes
between 1986 and 1987 to conscientise women and create awareness in them to
participate in activities that concern and affect them in order to uplift
womanhood into competing favourably with their male counterparts when it comes
to distribution of income, job opportunities, education, politics and in
contributing to socio-economic development of themselves, their communities and
the nation in general.
There are problems and set backs
inspite of the efforts of the state agency and federal government and
non-governmental organizations are making towards women literacy education and
women empowerment.
The question being asked is about the
effectiveness of efforts being made by these bodies. To what extent were the goals and objectives
achieved so as to enable the women participants contribute to the
socio-economic development of self, community and nation.
Statement of the Problem
Based on this study, impact of women
literacy education on the empowerment of women, in the past in Oredo Local
Government Area of Edo State and in Nigerian generally, women have been
relegated to the background. They are therefore seen as second class citizens
which is stigmatization at the highest order.
They are seen as a reproduction means
only useful for children up-brining.
Excluded from taking up official appointments nor appearing in public
places and functions.
The believe was that women are to be
seen and not to be heard. Women are
denied access to western education as they are believed to be another man’s
properties.
Nigerian parents out of ignorance paid
greater attention to the training and education of their male child; women were
victims of all kinds of traditions and beliefs.
The eventual result is that they were
neglected, illiterates, unexposed and do not contribute to socio-economic and
political development.
The researcher in this study tries to
investigate the literacy education programme that has been in place for the
women as to the government in Edo State in particular realized the need for
women literacy education in order to empower them.
It is also believed that providing
women literacy education for women would re-awaken them from mental slavery,
create awareness and make them useful to themselves.
Literacy education on empowerment of
women will enable them become socio-economic buoyant, self-reliant and more
actively engaged in their country’s social, political development and yield
high dividends. It will serve as a
process of eradicating inequalities between women and their male counterparts.
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to
examine women literacy education and identify its impacts in the empowerment of
women in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.
The specific purposes are this:
-
To identify the relevance of women literacy
education on the empowerment of women in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo
State.
-
To examine the degree/level of women involvement
in literacy education and their attendant contribution.
-
To improve the standard of women literacy
education in Edo State and their self-image.
-
To conscientise the women on the benefits of
women literacy education for self-growth and national development.
-
To make suggestions and recommendations to
relevant governments or bodies on ways of improving women literacy education in
Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.
-
It is expected that the results generated from
the study will change the lives of the women.
Research Questions
-
Is literacy necessary in promoting women empowerment?
-
Has literacy education programme designed for
women in Oredo Local Government Area help to promote women empowerment?
-
In which area has literacy programme helped in
empowering?
-
How do the women see literacy for empowerment
designed for them?
-
Is there any constraint to the implementation of
literacy education programme designed for women?
-
Is there any relationship between literacy
education and women empowerment?
Objectives of the Study
This study was designed to achieve the
underlisted objectives:
1.
To endowed them (women) with knowledge and
practical handwork.
2.
To make them productive and self-sustaining.
3.
To contribute economic growth and national
development.
4.
To create a level ground for every opportunities
that will enable less privileged women acquire relevant skills.
5.
To re-orientate the attitude of all females
irrespective of age towards education.
6.
To improve the quality of women in society.
7.
To create awareness among women and eradicate
illiteracy among them.
8.
To create financial supports that will enhance
and facilitate self-sustaining business enterprise.
Significance of the Study
It is hoped that the results from this
study will be of immense benefit to Oredo Local Government Area, the programme
planners, state and the larger society.
It will show the progress that women
literacy education programme has made and also provide information, awareness,
knowledge, skill acquisition, personal attitude, behavior and appreciation of
the women on the impact of women literacy education in empowering them.
Also, it will be useful to the state,
Oredo Local Government and other agencies in deciding steps and measure to take
to re-energize and encourage women towards self-development and that of the
nation in general.
It will show the importance of women literacy
education programmes as regards to economic development and self-sustaining
building in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. This study will help to correct the erroneous
impression the women are to be seen and not heard.
It will motivate the women in Oredo
Local Government Area in Edo State and other parts of the nation to uphold and
embrace any literacy programme designed for women.
Basic Assumptions
The study is based on the following
assumptions:
1.
That the type of programmes would determine to a
great extent the improvement that could be effected in women participants in
Oredo.
2.
That the women participant must be involved in
planning and assessing the programme.
3.
That the women participant should see the
programme objectives and performance as effective to the extent of improving
the lot of all women for self reliance and beyond.
4.
That programme must be result oriented and
practical based.
5.
That issues and felt needs of the women are
relevant to the literacy programme.
6.
That women participants must find the curricular
contents challenging and interesting.
7.
That constraints and problems during planning
and implementation stages hinder the success of the programme.
8.
That education of women is significantly
afflicted by many problems.
Scope of the Study
The scope of the study is limited on
assessing the impact of women literacy education on empowerment of women
through literacy education in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.
This study will diligently investigate
the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of women contributions to the Oredo Local
Government Area development based on their level of educational literacy and
suggests the way forward.
The study will interview the women
participants who have benefited or benefiting from the literacy education in
the area to ascertain the impact on their lives.
Limitations of the Study
This study is limited by the following
factors:
Finance: This study is handicapped by financial
constraints arising from the fact that there is no funding from the University
of State Government and the inflationary trend has compounded the problem.
Time:
This has not been on the side of the researcher in her research process.
Another limitation of this research
work borders on the defects and difficulties which are associated with using
oral interviews and questionnaires in the process of data collection from
individual who are not very educated.
Unwillingness of respondents: Some respondents are unwilling to offer
answers or provide information and return questionnaire promptly within the
time limit of the research.
Invalid answers provided by the
Respondents: Some questionnaires are
sometimes lost in the process.
Unwillingness
of respondents to accept questionnaires for fear of exposure of information;
and consequent victimization by relevant authorities.
Definition of Terms
The meaning of terms in this study,
are words used to express an idea especially a specialized concept. However, the definitions of such concepts are
given below:
Impact: The influence made by something through
intangible means or strong impression.
Assess: Decide or to fix the amount of something,
to appraise, decide the value of e.g. property, a tax or a fire.
Assessment: This is the noun form of assess.
Programme: Plan of what is to be done, coded
collection of information data, list of items, event etc. for an activity, a
concert. In this study, the activity is
impact of women literacy education on the empowerment of women.
Empowerment: Equipping adults illiterate with the skills of
reading and writing as well as being useful to themselves and national
development.
Boy-child Education: Education given to a male child.
Girl-Child Education:
Education or training given to a female child.
Women Education: This is the education given to female beings.
Procreate: This is to generate offspring.
Questionnaire: An articulated well drawn/framed questions
intended to extract useful information from respondent or respondents for
investigation purposes.
Data: These are facts, thing certainly known
and from which conclusions may be drawn.
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