Abstract

This study examined the influence of gender discrimination practices on women participation in community development activities among Ogoni People of Rivers State. Three research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population of the study was 3,700 community leaders and women from community-based women organizations. They comprised 1,080 community leaders and 2,620 women from community-based women organizations who participated in community development programmes organized by the four Local Government Areas in Ogoni. The sample size of the study was 351 respondents determined by using Krejcie and Morgan table of sample size determination. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to sample the 352 respondents. The study used a self-designed questionnaire for data collection. The instruments were validated by three experts from Rivers State University. A test of internal consistency was carried out using Cronbach Alpha method to determine the reliability of the instrument. Reliability coefficients of 0.81, 0.89 and 0.91 were obtained for the three sections of the instrument respectively. From the data analyzed, the findings of the study revealed that tackling gender discrimination and promoting women's active involvement in community development are imperative for achieving broader socio-economic progress and equality among the Ogoni people of Rivers State. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among other things that the Rivers State Government and Local Government Councils in Ogoni should implement programmes that encourage and support women to take up leadership roles in community development activities. Also, leadership training workshops and mentorship programmes should be organized to build women’s confidence and skills for leadership.