Economic Empowerment Programmes and Women Participation in Community Development in Rivers State: A Study of the Empowerment Support Initiative (ESI)

The Study examined Empowerment Programmes and Women Participation in Community Development in Rivers State: A Study of the Empowerment Support Initiative (ESI). The population for the study comprised 4,312 registered members of the 131 registered Community Based Women Associations (CBWAs) in the 6 Local Government Areas under study in Rivers State. A multi-stage sample procedure was adopted, involving the random sampling technique which was used in selecting 2 LGAs from each of the 3 senatorial districts of Rivers State. The six selected LGAs by this process were, Ikwerre, Etche, Akuku-Toru, Ahoada East, Eleme and Opobo/Nkoro. The second stage involved a proportionate sampling technique which was used to select 50% of the registered members of the CBWAs in the 6 LGAs to realize a sample of 2,156. Questionnaire and Focus Group Discussion were adopted as instruments for data collection. Three research questions were posed. They were analyzed with frequencies and weighted means. The study revealed that the extent of implementation of ESI in Rivers State in order to enhance women’s participation in Community development is very low. It also revealed that the extent of women’s participation in the implementation of the ESI programmes in Rivers State in order to enhance their participation in CD is also very low. The study finds that the extent of influence of ESI on women’s participation in CD in Rivers State is very low. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended amongst others that ESI should create offices in all LGAs in Rivers State to properly co ordinate the programmes at the grassroots and competently trained community development workers should be trained to manage the programmes.