Constraints to gender participation in rural community development in Abia State, Nigeria

This study examined constraints to gender participation in rural community development in Abia State. A multistage sampling procedure was used in the selection of 120 households for the study. Data was analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed that the mean age of the respondents was 50.5 years, 75.7% of them were married and had a mean household size of 6 persons. The average years spent in school by the respondents was 12 years, their major occupation was farming (52.4%) and monthly income was N65,739. 00. Their major constraints in carrying out self-help rural community development for males and females were fund-raising problem (̅ = 3.2 and ̅ =3.0), embezzlement of fund (̅ =3.1 and ̅ = 2.8), nonchalant attitude to accountability (̅ = 3.1 and ̅ =2.5), mismanagement of fund (̅=3.1and ̅=3.8). Some of the strategies employed by both males and females for active participation were payment of fine (̅ = 2.4 and̅ = 2.5) and praise/recommendation for participation (̅ = 2.4 and ̅ = 2.7). A significant difference existed between rural community development constraints of males and females in the areas of non-challant attitude to accountability (t=2.4, p≤0.05) and politicization of projects (t = 2.2, p≤0.05). There was also a significant difference between rural community development strategies employed by males and females only in the area of non-participants not allowed to enjoy the full benefits of the project (t=-4.8, p≤0.05). Based on the result of this study, it was recommended that the federal, state and local governments should be involved in multi-media enlightenment or sensitization to rural communities on the possible strategies for active participation to rural community development projects. This will go a long way in helping them know the strategies they can employ to succeed in rural community development.Keywords: Gender participation, constraints to gender participation, community developmen