Assessment of Time Budgeting and Activity Pattern of Rural Women in Rural Development and Planning. Case study of Rafi Local Government area, Niger State

Abstract

A balanced participation of both genders results in a more comprehensive approach to issues of development. Indeed, their living conditions are more widely taken into account, thus leading to improved measures and their enhanced acceptance of rural development decisions. Decision-making has to be comprised of both men and women in a proportion, if the decisions made is to be valid. Women are the most threatened by the dangers that stem from global warming, war, disaster, etc. Therefore, defending the full range of women's human rights within the context of gender equality in addressing issues of spatial development is essential both to protecting women themselves and to cultivating their capacity for leadership, which so many lives depend on. Using questionnaire technique, 150 women from 10 district heads of Rafi Local government area of Niger state were interacted with to elicit information on the relationship between time budgeting and activity pattern of rural women in rural development and planning. The questionnaire probed into the background of each woman, such as age, educational qualification, occupation, monthly income and average percentage of income spent on family expenses. The study revealed that rural income is generally low because of the low level of social and economic activities. In a community where there is no supply of electricity and water, and the roads are almost impassable, it would be impossible for any meaningful economic activity to operate. Policy on the planning of the area should include the provision of social facilities and the establishment of industries capable of, among others, processing farm products.