CHALLENGES OF WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN NIGERIA. (A CASE STUDY OF IDAH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KOGI STATE)

This project centered on challenges of women empowerment using Idah Local Government as a case study. The study explores the factors that are responsible for the challenges of women empowerment in Idah. 120 copies of questionnaires were administered to the female respondents who were randomly selected. The study revealed that lack of time due to domestic and reproductive roles of women, poor economic base, illiteracy, discrimination attitude of males have restricted women’s empowerment and development. A major implication of these findings is that if women become economically and educationally empowered their development in the country will be very high and this would make economic, political and education development in Nigeria more realistic. It was also recommended that there should be: policymakers to establish an enabling environment that facilitates access to financial services for women entrepreneurs, through the development of a supportive legal and regulatory framework, and development of education and vocational training opportunities that are more aligned with the specific needs of women in Nigeria. Re-orientation of men’s mind set on women’s empowerment and development, need for abolition of traditional practices affecting women and need to provide unlimited access to education and media to women.