The Role of Household Women in Sustainable Development: A Case Study of Lafia Local Governement, Nassarawa State- Nigeria

Abstract

The thrust of the study is to examine the activities of household women generally, identifying some of the structural challenges with a view to identify the multiplicity of their circumstances as social actors. It explores the dynamic roles of household in development with particular reference to Lafia metropolis of Nassarawa State in the middle belt of Nigeria. The study was conducted at the background of reports of the numerous socio-economic challenges of women in Nigeria in particular in the context of political challenges in comprehensive state building. The research designed employed was a survey of 400 questionnaires administered on 400 respondents gathered using clusters and purposive sampling technique. Contrary to some expectations, the findings of this research revealed that household women in Lafia metropolis actively engage in some form of active economic functions to better the lives of families amidst acute infrastructural and socio-economic challenges. This study has many implications, primarily generating a data base for a nuanced understanding of household women’s role that will serve as basis for gender equity and subsequently achieving sustainable development. It also contributes to the current debate on the role of household women in the informal sector and in the economy. More so, it gives a clear picture of how some African household women make meaning in their daily lives. The study recommends that the state government should appreciate the role of household women through providing them with microeconomic support and various empowerment policies and schemes.